tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12657288.post1301379072751071870..comments2024-01-07T06:59:04.212-05:00Comments on The Playgoer: Judges: Stop Blowing Smoke, Actors!Playgoerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02994724588504353485noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12657288.post-29400598770998621242008-04-23T11:36:00.000-04:002008-04-23T11:36:00.000-04:00It's come to my attention that the above commenter...It's come to my attention that the above commenter is in all probability NOT George Lane the famed agent to playwright stars. I guessed as much from the humorous tone, as I'm sure did you. But just wanted to put that on the record for Mr. Lane's sake, since the commenter has used it elsewhere here as well.Playgoerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02994724588504353485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12657288.post-30237145242372449672008-03-27T10:31:00.000-04:002008-03-27T10:31:00.000-04:00True, the burning of Rome happens offstage, and I ...True, the burning of Rome happens offstage, and I don't know of any productions that bring it down center. But many directors incorporate fire into the sequence, especially in the "Cinna the poet" section: Plebeians bearing torches or other burning embers in period productions; throwing Malotov cocktails etc. in modern-dress ones. <BR/><BR/>Yrs,<BR/><BR/>G. LaneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12657288.post-59911564764501655342008-03-26T20:40:00.000-04:002008-03-26T20:40:00.000-04:00Well, I am humbled, "George Lane."Embarrassing sin...Well, I am humbled, "George Lane."<BR/><BR/>Embarrassing since I thought that was a play I knew inside out. I guess I just assumed the judges were making some "Nero fiddling while Rome burned" reference. <BR/><BR/>Fair to say, though, that the spectacle of Rome burning (indicated off stage) is not one usually STAGED in productions of JC, right?Playgoerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02994724588504353485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12657288.post-74197381851275003642008-03-26T19:06:00.000-04:002008-03-26T19:06:00.000-04:00Actually, Playgoer, Rome does indeed burn in Juliu...Actually, Playgoer, Rome does indeed burn in Julius Caesar. <BR/><BR/>At the end of Antony's famous funeral oration, the enraged citizens run riot and burn at least the homes of the conspirators:<BR/><BR/>First Plebeian:<BR/>We'll burn his [i.e. Caesar's] body in the holy place / And with the brands fire the traitors' houses. / Take up the body.<BR/><BR/>Second Plebeian:<BR/>Go fetch fire.<BR/><BR/>That's III,ii,250 and following; see also III.iii,33, after the murder of Cinna the poet:<BR/><BR/>Third Plebeian:<BR/>Come, brands, ho! Fire-brands! To Brutus', to Cassius', burn all!<BR/><BR/>Lovely to know there's a judge in Colorado who knows his Shakespeare.<BR/><BR/>Best,<BR/><BR/>George Lane<BR/>CAA<BR/>(representing the Estate of W. Shakespeare)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com