Julius Caesar and Me: Exploring Shakespeare's African Play

Our review of Julius Caesar and Me: Exploring Shakespeare's African Play explains why this short, reflective book will appeal to actors, students and anyone interested in modern perspectives on Shakespeare. Paterson Joseph frames the text around his 2012 experience playing Brutus with the Royal Shakespeare Company, offering a clear lens on performance choices and the cultural context of staging Julius Caesar with a majority black cast. The author balances scene-level observation with broader questions about ethnicity, casting and rehearsal practice, making this a modest but thoughtful contribution to Shakespeare criticism.

Key Features

• Firsthand rehearsal insight: Joseph describes the rehearsal process for the RSC production in detail, helping readers understand practical choices actors and directors make.
• Focus on ethnicity in casting: The book examines the position of ethnic minority actors in Shakespeare, offering perspectives useful to companies and scholars.
• Actor's perspective on Brutus: Joseph uses his performance experience to illuminate character interpretation and modern resonance.
• Discussion of female casting: The author considers implications when female actors tackle traditionally masculine roles, suggesting new reading possibilities.
• Concise critical approach: The short, focused text makes specific arguments about Julius Caesar as an African play without excessive academic jargon.

Who It's For

This book is best for theatre practitioners, actors preparing Shakespeare roles, and students of performance who want a practitioner-led perspective rather than a dense academic treatise. Readers seeking practical examples of rehearsal decision-making and the lived experience of a leading actor in a significant RSC production will find value in Joseph's reflections.

Those looking for a comprehensive historical biography of Shakespeare, a full-critical edition of the play, or exhaustive scholarly apparatus should look elsewhere; this is an interpretive, personal study rather than a complete scholarly resource.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Direct, practical recollections of rehearsals provide useful takeaways for performers and directors.
• Thoughtful consideration of race and casting opens productive conversations about modern stagings.
• Clear focus on Julius Caesar as an African play reframes familiar material in a fresh way.

Cons

• The book's brevity means some readers may want more detailed supporting evidence or extended analysis.

Specifications

Title	Julius Caesar and Me: Exploring Shakespeare's African Play
Author	Paterson Joseph
Perspective	Actor's rehearsal and performance reflections
Primary focus	Julius Caesar interpreted as an African play
Production referenced	2012 Royal Shakespeare Company production
Key themes	Ethnicity in casting; female actors in masculine roles

Our Verdict

Julius Caesar and Me is a compact, practitioner-led study that will repay readers who want an actor's eye on Shakespeare and stage practice; it is good value for those seeking interpretive insight rather than exhaustive scholarship. In short, buy it if you want informed, experience-driven commentary on casting, rehearsal and contemporary readings of Julius Caesar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the book describe the RSC production in detail?
Yes; Joseph draws on his experience in the 2012 RSC production and shares rehearsal anecdotes and interpretive choices.

Is this a scholarly edition of Julius Caesar?
No; it is a reflective, practitioner-focused study rather than a full academic edition with extensive notes.

Will this help actors preparing the role of Brutus?
Yes; the book offers practical insights into character work, rehearsal processes and staging decisions relevant to performers.