SEARCH CurtainUp
REVIEWS
FEATURES
NEWS (Etcetera)
LISTINGS
Broadway
Off-Broadway
BOOKS and CDs
OTHER PLACES
Berkshires
London
Los Angeles
Philadelphia
Elsewhere
QUOTES
On TKTS
LETTERS TO EDITOR
FILM
LINKS
MISCELLANEOUS
Free Updates
Masthead
NYC Weather
London Review
Caligula
by Lizzie Loveridge
|
Existence as it is, is unbearable. I must have the moon or happiness or something.
-- Caligula |
The play is ostensibly about a Roman emperor, Gauis "Caligula" Caesar (Emperor AD37 -41) but Camus uses the play to develop his philosophical ideas about the conflict between absolute power and individual freedom. Gauis was the youngest of nine children and the only boy to survive his grandfather, the emperor Tiberius. His father Germanicus, his mother Agrippina and all his brothers were either killed or starved to death by Tiberius and his lieutenant Sejanus. Gauis was given the nickname "Caligula" which means Little Boots by the soldiers because as a child he wore a child size version of army boots.
In a new and lucid translation from David Greig, Caligula (Michael Sheen) devastated by the death of his sister Drusilla with whom he probably had an incestuous relationship, deserts the Roman assembly for three days and three nights. On his return he is determined to understand the meaning of life. He is to push his power to the limits. His reign will become synonymous with terror, murder, torture, cruelty and sexual excess. "I've finally understood what absolute power is for. It gives the impossible a chance to exist. Freedom has no boundaries any more."
Michael Grandage's production rests on the brilliance of one character, the actor playing Caligula. Michael Sheen is both charismatic and indulged child. With his mop of curls (the real Caligula was prematurely bald) he carries out the most frightening of ordeals without ever losing his childlike appeal. Few find the courage or foolishness to oppose him. "Everything turns to ashes in front of fear". Here are dramatic stagings of Caligula dressing as Venus, in gold bikini with gold makeup, as gorgeous as any drag queen in Jerry Springer - the Opera and as Pan. However next to all these extremes is the lonely figure trying to come to terms with the many questions that trouble him about the purpose of human existence. Sheen gives his all in an energetic, multi-facetted and very physical performance. He never becomes stale. At 34, he is becoming a leading actor of his generation.
Raymond Coulthard as Cherea patiently bides his time, a cautiously, controlled performance of calm and sagacity, knowing that Caligula has to be assassinated. Diana Kent as Caesonia, Caligula's empress tries to understand him and manages to speak her mind but is eventually murdered. She has the gratitude of a wife older than her husband. Helicon (Jason Hughes) is a freed slave, Caligula's pet and hates the patricians. His vulgar, loutish behaviour amuses the emperor. Ben Turner as the sensitive poet Scipio recognises the loneliness of Caligula. Few can show honesty when their lives are threatened.
The Warehouse rear wall glistens and shines with lighting brightening Christopher Oram's gold, silver and copper paint effects. I liked the turquoise, verdigris lighting effect of the final stabbing. The costume designer has captured Caligula's sartorial excesses well, often contrasting these costumes with the simple crumpled linen of the misunderstood boy. Caligula looks in the pond onstage as if the reflection will give him the answer.
There are moments of comedy as well as those which horrify. I think the philosophical basis for the play feels dated rather than exciting and fresh. However, rulers with absolute power who abuse it are very much in the news.
| Caligula
Written by Albert Camus Translated by David Greig Directed by Michael Grandage Starring: Michael Sheen, Raymond Coulthard With: Geff Francis, Jerome Willis, Bernard Gallagher, Peter Gale, Ralph Bolland, Jeff Diamond, Jason Hughes, Ben Turner, Diana Kent, Olivia MacDonald Designer: Christopher Oram Lighting Designer: Neil Austin Sound: Fergus O'Hare Music: Adam Cork Running time: Two hours thirty minutes with one interval . Box Office: 020 7369 1732 Booking to 14th June 2003 Reviewed by Lizzie Loveridge based on 2nd May 2003 performance at the Donmar Warehouse, Earlham Street, London WC2 (Tube Station: Covent Garden) |
Mendes at the Donmar
Our Review
Peter Ackroyd's History of London: The Biography
London Sketchbook
Somewhere For Me, a Biography of Richard Rodgers
At This Theater
Ridiculous!The Theatrical Life & Times of Charles Ludlam
The New York Times Book of Broadway: On the Aisle for the Unforgettable Plays of the Last Century
6, 500 Comparative Phrases including 800 Shakespearean Metaphors by CurtainUp's editor.
Click image to buy.
Go here for details and larger image.
