Interview: Director Anthony Banks talks about Bryony Lavery's Cesario

Interview: Director Anthony Banks talks about Bryony Lavery's Cesario

21 August, 2012
by: Spoonfed Theatre Team

We talk to director Anthony Banks about creating something about the Bard's family as part of World Shakespeare Festival

What was it about Bryony's script that made you want to direct the production?

Actually, I chose and commissioned Bryony to write this particular story as I was asked to create something specially for families for the World Shakespeare Festival.  I wanted to work with a very young cast of actors aged around the age of 12 - I’ve spent many years working on Connections plays here at the National, in which the actors are aged 13-19, they’re ‘teenagers’ -  I was interested in creating a show in which the majority, if not all of the performers, were aged about 12 years old. I thought it would be fun to follow a story from their perspective, which is exactly what happens in Cesario, Bryony has more than hit the brief, she has delivered a very potent, plucky script which is about massive challenges - life and death type stuff - but all seen through the personalities of the twelve year old characters. It’s hilarious and heartbreaking. 

By focusing on the children and the twins in Shakespeare's plays, do you think this piece slightly re-brands Shakespeare?

This piece doesn’t seek to illuminate the plays of Shakespeare; it’s an imagined original new play which stands alone from WS’s canon in its own right.  The fun comes when you start to realise the connections with Shakespeare’s characters, and some of the stories in his plays.  It’s also a fascinating glimpse into a quiet corner of rural Stratford-upon-Avon during 1596, which was a very significant year for Shakespeare as he hit the big time with some his most successful plays to date in London, while in Stratford he was confronted with family tragedy in the sudden death of his 12 year old son Hamnet. 

Can you tell us a bit about the key characters in Cesario? Do you have a favourite?

I think my favourite character is probably 12 year old Judith Shakespeare.  She is ferociously fond of her twin brother Hamnet, and defends his existence at every turn. She’s quick witted and uncomplicated, she has none of the tedious trappings of the grown-ups who she hasn’t got time for, especially her older sister Susanna, who behaves far too much like a lady for her liking!  She has the pluck and gumption of many a Shakespearean heroine, Viola, Beatrice, Rosalind, Imogen and she likes dressing-up in boy’s clothing...     

Can you tell us a bit about the ways Bryony handles gender, loneliness and belonging in this script?

Bryony Lavery characteristically deals with these momentous themes with warmth, humour and honesty.

Cesario runs at National Theatre from 22nd-25th August. 

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Spoonfed Theatre Team