Archive - Dead Caesar

January 11, 2026

Dead Caesar

Sydney Theatre Company, Wharf 2LOUD
Sydney, 2007

Role: Choreographer

Dead Caesar was a 2007 stage production written by Australian comedian Chris Taylor of The Chaser. Presented by Sydney Theatre Company as part of its Wharf 2LOUD program, the work was a satirical reimagining of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, blending political parody, musical comedy, and classical theatrical form.

The production premiered at Wharf 2LOUD, Walsh Bay, and formed part of Sydney Theatre Company’s commitment to new Australian writing and contemporary reinterpretations of canonical texts. Dead Caesar received significant attention for its irreverent tone and its collision of classical source material with modern political and pop culture references.

Choreographic Contribution

My role as choreographer involved developing movement language within a text-driven, comic theatre framework. The work required choreography that supported satire, timing, and character rather than formal dance sequences, integrating physicality into ensemble scenes, musical moments, and transitions while remaining responsive to dialogue, rhythm, and comedic structure.

Choreography functioned as an embedded storytelling device, supporting parody and pace while maintaining clarity within a fast-moving production that combined music, spoken text, and ensemble staging.

Production Context and Collaborations

The production was directed by Tamara Cook, with music composed by Andrew Hansen. Design elements included set design by Bruce McKinven and lighting design by Stephen Hawker. The cast featured Toby Moore, Andrew Hansen, Ben Borgia, Ewen Leslie, Alan Dukes, Monica Sayers, and John Leary.

Dead Caesar received national critical coverage, including reviews in The Sydney Morning Herald and Australian Stage, and is formally documented within major performing arts records, reflecting its place within Australia’s contemporary theatre landscape.

This page forms part of the Archive section, documenting professional theatre, screen, and movement work prior to the launch of ART1.