Cape Town Theatre: Gender-bending Production of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

A new production of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar is set to run at Cape Town’s Artscape Theatre from 22 to 31 May. Directed by Fred Abrahamse, the adaptation features a unique twist on the classic play, recasting key roles and blending multiple historical timeframes.

Award-winning actress Fiona Ramsay plays the title role of Julius Caesar, interpreted as a composite of the Roman general and England’s Queen Elizabeth I. “Casting a woman as Caesar offers a powerful lens through which to examine authority, charisma, and political legacy,” say the producers, adding that it also “an exploration of gender as a mutable force.”

The production shifts between three overlapping eras: 44 BC, the original setting of the play; 1599, when Shakespeare wrote the piece amid political unrest in England; and the contemporary world of 2025. According to the creative team, this approach highlights the ongoing relevance of the play’s central themes of ambition, betrayal, and leadership.

Further reimagining traditional gender roles, the characters of Portia and Calpurnia are portrayed by male actors, further challenging conventional gender binaries. “This bold casting reinforces the idea that power and vulnerability are not confined to one gender,” the production team notes.

The cast includes Marcel Meyer as Brutus, Matthew Baldwin as Cassius, Tailyn Ramsamy as Marc Antony, Nkosinathi Mazai as Casca, and Thinus Viljoen as Octavius Caesar. The design and score aim to reflect the production’s layered approach, with set and costume design by Abrahamse and Meyer, lighting by Faheem Bardien, and an original score by Jaco Griessel.

The production includes scenes set in a Roman bathhouse to evoke themes of democracy and social equality, though viewer discretion is advised due to partial nudity and depictions of violence. The performance is rated No Under 16.

Tickets range from R180 to R300 and are available via Webtickets. Evening shows begin at 19:00, with matinees on 24 and 31 May at 15:00. The production runs approximately 100 minutes with no interval.