Julius Caesar has been a popular Shakespeare play for the last four centuries. The Elizabethans were fascinated by the play which provided historical insights into political issues of their time.

The play enjoyed success in the 18th century with Thomas Betterton, the 19th century with William Charles Macready and Beerbohm Tree. However the play notably disappeared from production in times of political disquiet such as the English Civil War (when the theatres were closed) and from 1780 to 1812 when there may have been fears that the ideas of the French revolution may spread to the UK.

In the 18th century, as in Shakespeare's time, actors played a repertoire of roles. Thomas Betterton one of the most well known actors of his day and manager of Drury Lane theatre was known for playing Brutus. Theatres had used limited stock scenery but designers like de Loutherbourg began to experiment with theatrical effects which thrilled audiences. In the eighteenth century productions of Shakespeare's plays were often rewritten omitting scenes and including new material with happy endings.

Shakespeare was a firm favourite with the actor/managers of the 19th century. Giving them the opportunity to star in a dramatic role and create hugely detailed and historically realistic sets that were the fashion. The spectacle of the performance was more important than the play and texts were cut short - often to allow enough time to change the elaborate scenery.

William Charles Macready faithfully restored the original Shakespeare texts and also instigated rehearsals for the full company - previously star performers would often meet the other members of the company on the first night. In 1843 Macready played Brutus in the Drury Lane production of Julius Caesar.

Another famous actor/manager was Herbert Beerbohm Tree. His Julius Caesar ran for five months and made a profit of £11,000. Tree's performances were spectacular - vast processions, and huge crowd scenes. His Julius Caesar was designed by painter Alma Tadema and consisted of extravagant classical scenes with columns, statues and senators in togas. A review of the production claimed that it 'resurrected ancient Rome in all its unimagined glory'.

In the 20th century, Julius Caesar appeared on film in the 1953 film starring John Gielgud, Marlon Brando and Greer Garson.