WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S
Directed by LILY SAVELLI
Costume Design by NATASA SAVELLI
Production Management by RENEE BRIGHTON
Costume Design by NATASA SAVELLI
Production Management by RENEE BRIGHTON
AUDITION Announcement
Monday 9th and Tuesday 10th February from 7:00pm (by appointment only)
MAY 2026
Friday May 1, 7:30pm | Saturday May 2, 2:00pm & 7:30pm | Sunday May 3, 2:00pm | Friday May 8, 7:30pm |
Saturday May 9, 2:00pm & 7:30pm | Sunday May 10, 2:00pm
Saturday May 9, 2:00pm & 7:30pm | Sunday May 10, 2:00pm
ADULTS $26 | CONCESSION $24 | MEMBERS $22
SYNOPSIS
Set in a dystopian outer suburb wasteland ruled by a powerful biker gang, this adaptation of Julius Caesar by Deborah Mulhall reimagines Shakespeare’s tragedy as a brutal struggle for control and identity.
The creative team chose the setting of Australia in 1973, following the country’s withdrawal from the Vietnam war - a time of deep political unease, social fracture and moral reckoning. Thousands of young people had been conscripted and sent to a distant war, only to return to a society unsure of how to receive them. Trust in governments had eroded, protest culture surged. Authority was openly questioned, yet many Australians still longed for stability and order after years of somewhat chaos.
In this production, the Romans are reimagined as a biker gang made up largely of returned soldiers and those shaped by violence. They are bound by loyalty, ritual and shared trauma, rather than by laws or institutions. Their clubhouse ‘the Capitol’ becomes a place where power is informal but absolute.
The Romans leader Caesar’s rising dominance sparks fear amongst the Romans, particularly with his close friend Brutus, a returned veteran, who is torn between loyalty and belief in freedom.
Persuaded that Caesar’s ambitions will destroy their gang, Brutus joins a conspiracy led by Cassius to assassinate him. The murder, meant to save those in the Capitol, instead unleashes chaos. Marc Antony’s masterful manipulation of the crowd turns public opinion, plunging the Capitol into violence & betrayal. As former allies turn on one another, ideals of honour and liberty collapse, leaving only guilt, loss and the haunting consequences of political violence.
In setting Julius Caesar in 1973 Australia, we are not suggesting that history repeat itself. Instead, we want to invite reflection on how moments of national uncertainty create the conditions in which fear, idealism and power collide - and how they continue to shape us.
The creative team chose the setting of Australia in 1973, following the country’s withdrawal from the Vietnam war - a time of deep political unease, social fracture and moral reckoning. Thousands of young people had been conscripted and sent to a distant war, only to return to a society unsure of how to receive them. Trust in governments had eroded, protest culture surged. Authority was openly questioned, yet many Australians still longed for stability and order after years of somewhat chaos.
In this production, the Romans are reimagined as a biker gang made up largely of returned soldiers and those shaped by violence. They are bound by loyalty, ritual and shared trauma, rather than by laws or institutions. Their clubhouse ‘the Capitol’ becomes a place where power is informal but absolute.
The Romans leader Caesar’s rising dominance sparks fear amongst the Romans, particularly with his close friend Brutus, a returned veteran, who is torn between loyalty and belief in freedom.
Persuaded that Caesar’s ambitions will destroy their gang, Brutus joins a conspiracy led by Cassius to assassinate him. The murder, meant to save those in the Capitol, instead unleashes chaos. Marc Antony’s masterful manipulation of the crowd turns public opinion, plunging the Capitol into violence & betrayal. As former allies turn on one another, ideals of honour and liberty collapse, leaving only guilt, loss and the haunting consequences of political violence.
In setting Julius Caesar in 1973 Australia, we are not suggesting that history repeat itself. Instead, we want to invite reflection on how moments of national uncertainty create the conditions in which fear, idealism and power collide - and how they continue to shape us.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Due to the content and themes of this production, ALL CAST must be 18 years or over.
Anyone auditioning for a role in this production (including ensemble) will be required to perform a monologue of their own choosing. Please pick something that showcases your best fit for your chosen role.
Cold reads from the script will be given to you at time of audition (if auditioning for a lead / supporting role).
Anyone auditioning for a role in this production (including ensemble) will be required to perform a monologue of their own choosing. Please pick something that showcases your best fit for your chosen role.
Cold reads from the script will be given to you at time of audition (if auditioning for a lead / supporting role).
REHEARSALS
Will take place on Wednesday evenings from 7pm and Saturdays from 10am.
A thorough rehearsal schedule will be given to those successfully cast, as not all cast will be required at every rehearsal. If you have other commitments on Wednesday evenings or Saturdays, please do not audition.
Production week will take place Sunday 26th April (all day) to Wednesday the 29th April (inclusive, weekday evenings). If you are not available for these dates, please do not audition, as this week is compulsory for all cast.
A thorough rehearsal schedule will be given to those successfully cast, as not all cast will be required at every rehearsal. If you have other commitments on Wednesday evenings or Saturdays, please do not audition.
Production week will take place Sunday 26th April (all day) to Wednesday the 29th April (inclusive, weekday evenings). If you are not available for these dates, please do not audition, as this week is compulsory for all cast.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
RTC will provide the majority of the costumes. Cast will be asked to provide their own hosiery & footwear.
All creatives, cast & crew involved in this production will need to be current financial members of the Company. If you are successfully cast, you will required to assist with bump in and bump out.
All creatives, cast & crew involved in this production will need to be current financial members of the Company. If you are successfully cast, you will required to assist with bump in and bump out.
CHARACTERS
YOU MUST BE 18+ TO AUDITION FOR THIS SHOW DUE TO THE CONTENT AND THEMES
Julius Caesar (40 plus)
The powerful leader of the Romans, a charismatic man who rose to power during a time of national insecurity. Was not a frontline soldier, believes himself indispensable to the gang’s survival.
Essence: power, pride, vulnerability
Personality: charismatic, authoritative, self-assured to the point of arrogance, believes in his own destiny. Must command the stage, show strength with subtle insecurity underneath.
Brutus (40 plus)
A respected and close friend to Caesar, recently returned from the Vietnam war, torn between loyalty and the good of the people. Haunted by the consequences of obedience and deeply committed to moral integrity. His inner conflict - loyalty versus conscience - drives the story.
Essence: Honour, strength, intellect, conflicted.
Personality: thoughtful, principled, morally driven. Torn between loyalty & duty. Strong emotional range needed, ability to internalise conflict & show this to audience.
Octavius Caesar (18-25)
Caesar’s nephew, young but astute, destined to become the next leader of the Roman gang.
Essence: control, ambition, emerging power, calculating.
Personality: calm, focussed, quietly ruthless. Less emotional, more strategic. Character who projects authority without words.
Marc Antony (30 plus)
Caesar’s right hand man, a skilled orator who turns public opinion after Caesar’s death. A returned soldier who understands loyalty, hierarchy and public performance. Media-savvy.
Essence: loyalty, intelligence, persuasion.
Personality: charismatic, emotionally intelligent, politically shrewd. An actor with a clear & eloquent voice needed, needs to be able to easily shift from grief to manipulation.
Cassius (30 plus)
A key Roman gang member and returned soldier. The chief architect of the conspiracy against Caesar.
Essence: envy, urgency, cunning.
Personality: sharp, relentless, persuasive. Sees himself as the smartest person in the room. Needs to be acted with intensity. He represents those who gained power without paying the cost of war and fears the rise of another authoritarian figure.
Cicero (25 plus)
An intellectual voice among the Romans. Not a returned soldier but still shaped by the political fallout of the war.
Essence: high intellect, well-spoken.
Personality: reasonable, is reflective about the fact that the nation increasingly values force over dislogue & reason.
Casca (25 plus)
A Roman member and conspirator known for her blunt, cynical observations. Was a nurse during the Vietnam war. Cassus’s lover.
Essence: blunt, cynical.
Personality: dry, sarcastic, observant. Speaks plainly where others do not. She has seen violence and the consequences of war firsthand.
Ligarius (20 plus)
A Roman member recently returned from war who joins the conspiracy despite illness, proving his loyalty to the cause.
Essence: loyalty, sacrifice.
Personality: fierce, committed, impulsive. Smaller role but high intensity, strong energy.
Metalla (20 plus)
A female Roman member, conspirator who initiates the plea to Caesar moments before the assassination.
Essence: political urgency.
Personality: formal, determined, emotionally charged in key moments. Clear diction needed.
Portia (30 plus)
Brutus’s wife, intelligent, & emotionally perceptive, desperate to share his burdens. Represents the female domestic and emotional cost of war & political secrecy.
Essence: strength, intelligence, vulnerability.
Personality: proud, emotionally perceptive, determined to be an equal partner. Needs to be played with intensity.
Calpurnia (30 plus)
Caesar’s wife, troubled by prophetic dreams & fearful for his safety. Deeply aware of the social unrest surrounding her husband.
Essence: intuition, fear, love.
Personality: sensitive, sincere, prophetic. Represents emotional truth.
Lucia (18 plus)
Brutus’s sister, who unknowingly comes across the strain of the turmoil.
Essence: innocent, loyal.
Personality: strong listener, loyal to Brutus but caught between this loyalty & fear.
Ensemble
A small ensemble aged 18 plus will play biker members, townspeople etc.
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