Joy Nesbitt brings her bold and provocative play JULIUS CAESAR VARIETY SHOW to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, premiering at Summerhall as part of the Culture Ireland Showcase.
Set during the 2023 Dublin riot, the play unfolds in the setting of a chaotic Shakespeare audition, where three actors compete for roles in Julius Caesar. As the audition intensifies, the performers find their identities scrutinised and exploited by a director determined to create a radical reinterpretation of the classic text.
What begins as a familiar audition scenario quickly transforms into a tense and unsettling examination of power, representation and artistic authority. Through dark humour and sharp insight, the production interrogates how identity shapes both performance and perception.
Nesbitt’s work explores the intersections of ambition and inclusion, raising urgent questions about diversity in the theatre industry and the broader cultural landscape. The play also reflects on the rise of far-right politics and its impact on artistic expression, using the Dublin riot as a resonant backdrop.
An emerging voice in contemporary theatre, Nesbitt has received widespread acclaim for her writing and directing, with multiple award nominations and international recognition. JULIUS CAESAR VARIETY SHOW promises a gripping and thought-provoking theatrical experience.
JULIUS CAESAR VARIETY SHOW runs at Summerhall from 06 – 31 August at 16:45. Tickets are on sale hereÂ
