The Folger Shakespeare Library and our publishing partner, Simon & Schuster Audio, hope you enjoy these excerpts from our audio performance of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. This production was performed by the professional actors of Folger Theatre, in consultation with the editors of The Folger Shakespeare. The Folger Shakespeare Julius Caesar audiobook is available on a wide variety of audiobook platforms.
Act 1, scene 2
Synopsis:
A soothsayer advises Caesar that the fifteenth of March will be a dangerous day for him. When Caesar and others exit, Cassius and Brutus remain behind. Cassius urges Brutus to oppose Caesar for fear that Caesar may become king. After Brutus and Cassius talk with Casca about Mark Antony’s public offer of the crown to Caesar, Brutus agrees to continue his conversation with Cassius the next day. Cassius, alone at the end of the scene, expresses his surprise that Brutus, who is one of Caesar’s favorites, is willing to conspire against Caesar and decides to take immediate advantage of this willingness.
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Act 3, scene 1
Synopsis:
In the street Caesar brushes aside Artemidorus’s attempt to warn him of the conspiracy. Once inside the Capitol, the conspirators gather around Caesar under the guise of pleading for the return of an exile. Beginning with Casca they stab Caesar to death and bathe their arms and hands in his blood. Ignoring Cassius’s advice, Brutus gives Antony permission to speak at Caesar’s funeral. Pretending to support Brutus, Antony plans to use this opportunity to turn the Roman people against the conspirators.
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Act 3, scene 2
Synopsis:
Brutus explains to the people that the cause of Caesar’s assassination was the preservation of the Roman Republic from Caesar’s ambition to be king. Mark Antony, bringing in Caesar’s body, refutes Brutus’s charge of ambition against Caesar, displays Caesar’s wounds, and reveals that Caesar had made the common people his heirs. Inflamed by Antony’s words, the people set off to attack the conspirators. A servant then informs Antony that Octavius Caesar, Antony’s ally, has come to Rome and that Brutus and Cassius have been forced to flee.
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CAST
Julius Caesar—Todd Scofield
Mark Antony—Zach Appelman
Brutus—Anthony Cochrane
Cassius—Louis Butelli
Casca—Pomme Koch
Calpurnia—Julie Ann Elliott
Portia—Emily Trask
Octavius Caesar—William Vaughn
Trebonius—Cody Nickell
All other parts were played by members of the company.
Creative Team
Robert Richmond—Director
Beth Emelson—Producer
Eric Shimelonis—Sound Design and Music Composition
Katharine Pitt—Production Assistant
David Polk—General Manager
Adam Stamper at Omega Recording Studios—Recording and Engineering
Music performed by Rebecca Sheir, vocals; Doug Wilson, trumpet; and Eric Shimelonis, strings, piano, and percussion.
Michael Witmore—Director, Folger Shakespeare Library
Janet Alexander Griffin—Artistic Producer
Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine—Editors, Folger Editions
Special Acknowledgements: Tony Cisek, Daryl Eisenberg, CSA, Shannon Follin, Charles Flye, Mariah Hale, Jim Hunter, Casey Dean Kaleba, Michele Osherow, Rebekah Sheffer, Emily Tartanella, Teresa Wood
In partnership with Simon & Schuster Audio
