Tangle announces the cast and creative team for its brand-new African-inspired adaptation of Julius Caesar – a high-energy production that drives through the power struggles and friendship betrayal at the heart of Shakespeare’s greatest thriller.
Featuring a cast of five actors, the production introduces Samya De Meo and Roland Royal III in their professional stage debuts as Cassius/Portia/Calpurnia and Julius Caesar/Cinna/Octavius Caesar respectively, alongside Remiel Farai as Brutus, Yaw Osafo-Kantanka as Soothsayer, and John Pfumojena (who also composes the original music for the production) as Mark Antony.
Anna Coombs directs her precisely crafted adaptation with regular Tangle collaborators John Pfumojena (For Black Boys’ Musical Director) whose original music is performed live on stage, and Set and Costume Designer Colin Falconer (Doctor Faustus). Collaborators joining the team include Choreographer Bawren Tavaziva (Boy’s Khaya), Costume Associate Linda Mafuba (Bunker of Zion), Lighting Designer Joe Hornsby (The House Party), and Sound Designer Khalil Madovi (Two Gentlemen of Verona).
Anna Coombs:
“We are so excited to be introducing a brilliant team of actors and creative practitioners who span a vast range of cultures and heritages from across multiple continents. Julius Caesar will weave together their exceptional skills and experience in a vivid mix to tell this powerful story in a new and fresh way.”
Founded in 2009, Tangle champions African and Caribbean artistic excellence, creating a combination of new work and radical reinventions of classic theatre texts. Its acclaimed touring productions have included Richard the Second (‘a stonking version’ 4.5 stars, The Reviews Hub), Volpone, and Doctor Faustus (‘the music, language and archetypes that Tangle weave into it create moments of overwhelming beauty’ Exeunt).
FULL TOUR DATES + VENUES
9-11 October: Mayflower,Southampton
15 October: New College Swindon
16 October: Lighthouse, Poole
17 October: Bridport Arts Centre
18 October: Croscombe Village Hall (Take Art Rural Touring)
21 October: Brewhouse, Taunton
22 October: Braunton Academy (Beaford Arts Rural Touring)
24 October: The Exchange, Sturminster Newton (Artsreach Rural Touring)
25 October: The Pound, Corsham
29 October – 15 November: Omnibus, London
