Excellent rendition of Shakespeare's classic Julius Caesar. The characters were distinct and the dialogue was clear and well written. Much more fun than reading it aloud from a book in high school.

Excellently done. Couldn't stop listening to it.

I agree with Jeff that it was much more fun that reading it aloud from a book in high school. A good adaptation from what I remember of the original (it's been a few years).

While multitudes are celebrating Caesar’s military victories, the envious Cassius is gradually convincing Brutus that Caesar’s life must be sacrificed for the common good. The fatal deed is planned for the Ides of March, and, despite a soothsayer’s warning and his wife Calpurnia’s dream, Caesar goes to the senate and is murdered. At Caesar’s funeral, the fallen leader’s henchman, Marc Antony, sways the crowds, and then sets out with an army to defeat the fleeing forces of Cassius and Brutus.

Fabulous back story/news item! I'm listening to one of these tonight. I listen at bedtime.

HAIL CAESAR!!! Great adaptation by Ian Martin. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this episode. The velvety voice of Norman Rose always makes any story extra special to listen to.

It is a great episode, full of trumpets and good dialogue. I always favor the “historical” episodes.

I rate this episode ★★★★★ for EXCELLENT. Ian Martin deserves major credit for writing this adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play of Julius Caesar. Even though not all of the characters from the original play are in this, Ian Martin managed to break the story down, made it easy to follow, keep all the important parts in it, and present it as a powerful dramatic episode that’s entertaining as much as watching the play on stage. In our Host’s Prologue, E.G. Marshall begins with William Shakespeare’s place as a poet, to entertain groundlings with a play like Julius Caesar. In ACT-1, point out that our Era of Politics and our struggle for power isn’t different than Caesar’s time. In ACT-2, the Ides of March arrive. And take note that the tragedy of history, is that violence begets more violent. In ACT-3, Caesar’s dead and Marc Anthony’s ways of words. And to remind others who Brutus really was. Not just a murderer, but a noble for Rome. In his Epilogue, our Host concludes that people shy away from Shakespeare’s work because it’s complexed. But points out that his characters are not so unlike us. Quick narrations, but easy to follow. Dramatic music tunes fit perfectly to what the characters feel when it comes to ambition, jealously, murder, betrayal, and power. Sound effects of crowds murmuring and cheering, howling wind, breaking of the Urn, thunderstorms, door pounding, rooster call, trumpets blaring, body thud, horses galloping and neighing, and combat swords clanking in the battlefield were epic. And now to conclude with our superb cast: Norman Rose (as Brutus), Robert Dryden (as Julius Caesar and Strato), Joan Shay (as Calpurnia and Portia), Russell Horton (as Marc Anthony and Casca), and Ian Martin (as Cassius). These 5 performers deserve a round of applause. More than that, a standing ovation! Listening to them speak the words of their characters fluently and with passion, was truly a work of art. They were so magnificent; they could’ve played these parts on stage. This is one Shakespeare adaptation you'd enjoy listening to over and over again. Until next time…pleasant dreams.

I agree with Russell (above) that this episode was ★★★★★ for EXCELLENT! I was blown away by Russell Horton's performance as Marc Anthony, especially his "Friends, Romans, Countrymen" speech near the end. It was the most natural, inspired reading of those lines I have ever heard. He pulled it off with no ham, yet he was full of passion, and he sounded so natural. The crowd reacting to his speech were loud enough to be heard, but not distracting, adding momentum to the scene. The others read their lines extremely well too. This was an excellent adaptation and I am joining in with the standing ovation for these excellent actors.