Word: caesar
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Dates: during 1960-1969
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...CAESAR AT THE RUBICON: A PLAY ABOUT POLITICS, by Theodore H. White. The manipulation of man by man is a proper concern of political journalists, and here one of the best takes an informed look at how it was done in the old days...
...even scrupulously, maintained. A technical point of this sort may seem a strange point of departure for more general praise of this staging of Shaw's ideological spectacular, particularly since such matters as diction are always more notable for their lack than their presence. But the virtue of this Caesar and Cleopatra lies in the words--the glorious, humble, funny words-- and in the good faith, taste, and intelligence in which those words are delivered to an audience. There are some nits abroad in the production, and it will be necessary to pick a few of them here...
MOST gifted in this alchemical effort are Daniel Seltzer as Caesar, and Susan Yakutis as Cleopatra. Seltzer's performance is especially impressive: not only are his readings rapid and controlled, but he succeeds in underplaying effectively a role which would tempt any actor to bravado. As the ultimate embodiment of the Shavian pragmatic, democratic, sympathetic Superman, he also manages to convey a vision of humility in majesty. Further, his discipline deserves to underline the character's moments of wit and emotion, and to set the lonely Caesar apart from the more broadly drawn figures who surround him. The greatest virtues...
...Where Caesar is magnificently consistent, Cleopatra is a little anthology of feminine character. In the course of the play she not only matures from kitten to queen, but exercises her option for whimsical action to the fullest. Miss Yakutis handles the various phases, moods, and transitions with considerable skill, and like Seltzer she shines in the scenes of intimate conversation. My only objection to her portrayal is that it leans something too heavily on the prop of youth. Even at her first meeting with Caesar, Cleopatra must be something more than girlish--she must demonstrate a potential for rule...
...CAESAR AT THE RUBICON: A PLAY ABOUT [ POLITICS, by Theodore-H. White. The manipulation of man by man is a proper concern of political journalists, and here one of the best takes an informed look at how it was done in the old days...