Caligula (play)
Encyclopedia
Caligula is a play
written by Albert Camus
, begun in 1938 (the date of the first manuscript 1939) and published for the first time in May 1944 by Éditions Gallimard
. The play was later the subject of numerous revisions. It was part of what the author called the "Cycle of the Absurd", with the novel The Outsider
(1942) and the essay The Myth of Sisyphus
(1942). A number of critics have reported the piece to be existentialist; however, Camus always denied belonging to this philosophy. Its plot revolves around the historical figure of Caligula
, a Roman Emperor
famed for his cruelty and seemingly insane behavior.
Here is the theme of the play presented by the author himself (in the U.S. edition of Theater in 1957):
"Caligula, a relatively kind prince so far, realizes on the death of Drusilla, his sister and his mistress, that "men die and they are not happy." Therefore, obsessed by the quest for the Absolute
and poisoned by contempt and horror, he tries to exercise, through murder and systematic perversion of all values, a freedom which he discovers in the end is no good. He rejects friendship and love, simple human solidarity, good and evil. He takes the word of those around him, he forces them to logic, he levels all around him by force of his refusal and by the rage of destruction which drives his passion for life.
But if his truth is to rebel against fate, his error is to deny men. One cannot destroy without destroying oneself. This is why Caligula depopulates the world around him and, true to his logic, makes arrangements to arm those who will eventually kill him. Caligula is the story of a superior suicide. It is the story of the most human and the most tragic of errors. Unfaithful to man, loyal to himself, Caligula consents to die for having understood that no one can save himself all alone and that one cannot be free in opposition to other men."
then published alone in the same year. There is a three-act version of 1941, re-published in 1984, in the compilation Cahiers Albert Camus. The changes between the versions show the effect of World War II
on Camus.
The premiere of Caligula in 1945 introduced Gérard Philipe
. On 26 March 1955, Camus
himself read the play at the theater Noctambules. The 1941 version was also staged, for example by the author at the Festival d'Angers in June 1984.
Some major worldwide productions of Caligula:
London - A new translation by David Greig, directed by Michael Grandage
, was performed to great acclaim at the Donmar Warehouse in London, starring Michael Sheen
, and won several Olivier Awards.
Dublin, Ireland - The same translation was later performed at the Project Cube Theatre in Dublin, Ireland, directed by Conor Hanratty
, where it was also nominated for several awards. This latter production was revived in October 2008 as part of Dublin's International Theatre Festival.
Edinburgh - The KCS Theatre company are due to perform their rendition of Caligula at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2011, Directed by Adam Cross, who has done notable productions such as Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd
"
India - Caligula was translated into Hindi
by Dr. Sharad Chandra and directed by Arvind Gaur
(1993, 21 shows) for Asmita theatre with Jaimini kr. Srivastava and Deepak Ochani. Arun Kukreja also performed it with well-known actor V.M. Badola.
France - In early 2006, Charles Berling directed and interpreted Caligula at the Workshop Theater in Paris.
Hungary - The play has recently been performed by the Radnóti Színház in Budapest
.
Greece - By the National Theatre of Greece in Athens
Japan - Directed by Yukio Ninagawa
, starring Shun Oguri, at the Bunkamura
Theatre Cocoon in Tokyo
.
Philippines - In 1981, Caligula was translated into Filipino
, directed and roled by Rolando S. Tinio
, Philippine National Artist
as one of the productions of Teatro Pilipino
at the Cultural Center of the Philippines
in Manila
.
Brazil - Directed by Rui Xavier with Daniel Sommerfeld in the main role in 2009 for The Year of France in Brazil.
Additionally, the play has begun to attract the attention of collegiate and community theaters, being produced at universities such as:
Yale University
The College of William & Mary (Mystic Theatre)
New York University
Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Madrid, U.P.M. (2010, CAIN Theater Group)
Play (theatre)
A play is a form of literature written by a playwright, usually consisting of scripted dialogue between characters, intended for theatrical performance rather than just reading. There are rare dramatists, notably George Bernard Shaw, who have had little preference whether their plays were performed...
written by Albert Camus
Albert Camus
Albert Camus was a French author, journalist, and key philosopher of the 20th century. In 1949, Camus founded the Group for International Liaisons within the Revolutionary Union Movement, which was opposed to some tendencies of the Surrealist movement of André Breton.Camus was awarded the 1957...
, begun in 1938 (the date of the first manuscript 1939) and published for the first time in May 1944 by Éditions Gallimard
Éditions Gallimard
Éditions Gallimard is one of the leading French publishers of books. The Guardian has described it as having "the best backlist in the world". In 2003 it and its subsidiaries published 1418 titles....
. The play was later the subject of numerous revisions. It was part of what the author called the "Cycle of the Absurd", with the novel The Outsider
The Outsider
-Literature:* The Outsider , a book by Colin Wilson* The Outsider or The Stranger , a novel by Albert Camus* The Outsider , a novel by Richard Wright...
(1942) and the essay The Myth of Sisyphus
The Myth of Sisyphus
The Myth of Sisyphus is a philosophical essay by Albert Camus. It comprises about 120 pages and was published originally in 1942 in French as Le Mythe de Sisyphe; the English translation by Justin O'Brien followed in 1955....
(1942). A number of critics have reported the piece to be existentialist; however, Camus always denied belonging to this philosophy. Its plot revolves around the historical figure of Caligula
Caligula
Caligula , also known as Gaius, was Roman Emperor from 37 AD to 41 AD. Caligula was a member of the house of rulers conventionally known as the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Caligula's father Germanicus, the nephew and adopted son of Emperor Tiberius, was a very successful general and one of Rome's most...
, a Roman Emperor
Roman Emperor
The Roman emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period . The Romans had no single term for the office although at any given time, a given title was associated with the emperor...
famed for his cruelty and seemingly insane behavior.
About the Play
The play shows Caligula, Roman Emperor, torn by the death of Drusilla, his sister and lover. In Camus's version of events, Caligula eventually deliberately manipulates his own assassination. (Historically, this event took place January 24, AD 41.)Here is the theme of the play presented by the author himself (in the U.S. edition of Theater in 1957):
"Caligula, a relatively kind prince so far, realizes on the death of Drusilla, his sister and his mistress, that "men die and they are not happy." Therefore, obsessed by the quest for the Absolute
Absolute (philosophy)
The Absolute is the concept of an unconditional reality which transcends limited, conditional, everyday existence. It is sometimes used as an alternate term for "God" or "the Divine", especially, but by no means exclusively, by those who feel that the term "God" lends itself too easily to...
and poisoned by contempt and horror, he tries to exercise, through murder and systematic perversion of all values, a freedom which he discovers in the end is no good. He rejects friendship and love, simple human solidarity, good and evil. He takes the word of those around him, he forces them to logic, he levels all around him by force of his refusal and by the rage of destruction which drives his passion for life.
But if his truth is to rebel against fate, his error is to deny men. One cannot destroy without destroying oneself. This is why Caligula depopulates the world around him and, true to his logic, makes arrangements to arm those who will eventually kill him. Caligula is the story of a superior suicide. It is the story of the most human and the most tragic of errors. Unfaithful to man, loyal to himself, Caligula consents to die for having understood that no one can save himself all alone and that one cannot be free in opposition to other men."
Versions of Caligula
The final version is the four-act version of 1944, first published jointly with The MisunderstandingThe Misunderstanding
The Misunderstanding , sometimes published as Cross Purpose, is a play written in 1943 in occupied Paris by Albert Camus.-Plot summary:...
then published alone in the same year. There is a three-act version of 1941, re-published in 1984, in the compilation Cahiers Albert Camus. The changes between the versions show the effect of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
on Camus.
Productions
Often staged in France and abroad, Caligula is one of Camus's most successful stage works.The premiere of Caligula in 1945 introduced Gérard Philipe
Gérard Philipe
Gérard Philipe was a prominent French actor, who had appeared in 34 films between 1944 and 1959.-Career:...
. On 26 March 1955, Camus
Camus
-People:* Albert Camus, French author, philosopher and journalist* Charles Étienne Louis Camus, French mathematician* Jean-Pierre Camus, French bishop and writer* Louis-Auguste Camus de Richemont, French military chief and baron d'Empire...
himself read the play at the theater Noctambules. The 1941 version was also staged, for example by the author at the Festival d'Angers in June 1984.
Some major worldwide productions of Caligula:
London - A new translation by David Greig, directed by Michael Grandage
Michael Grandage
Michael Grandage CBE is a British theatre director and producer, and current Artistic Director at the Donmar Warehouse, London. Grandage won the 2010 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play for Red.-Early years:...
, was performed to great acclaim at the Donmar Warehouse in London, starring Michael Sheen
Michael Sheen
Michael Christopher Sheen, OBE , is a Welsh stage and screen actor. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England and made his professional debut opposite Vanessa Redgrave in When She Danced at the Globe Theatre in 1991...
, and won several Olivier Awards.
Dublin, Ireland - The same translation was later performed at the Project Cube Theatre in Dublin, Ireland, directed by Conor Hanratty
Conor Hanratty
Conor Hanratty is a theatre director and scholar.- Biography :Hanratty was born in Dublin, Ireland and attended Trinity College, Dublin and Royal Holloway, University of London before receiving a Japanese Government Scholarship to study at Waseda University, Tokyo.He won Best Overall Production...
, where it was also nominated for several awards. This latter production was revived in October 2008 as part of Dublin's International Theatre Festival.
Edinburgh - The KCS Theatre company are due to perform their rendition of Caligula at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2011, Directed by Adam Cross, who has done notable productions such as Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd
Sweeney Todd
Sweeney Todd is a fictional character who first appeared as then antagonist of the Victorian penny dreadful The String of Pearls and he was later introduced as an antihero in the broadway musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and its film adaptation...
"
India - Caligula was translated into Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
by Dr. Sharad Chandra and directed by Arvind Gaur
Arvind Gaur
Arvind Gaur , Indian theatre director, is known for his work in innovative, socially and politically relevant theatre. Gaur's plays are contemporary and thought-provoking, connecting intimate personal spheres of existence to larger social political issues...
(1993, 21 shows) for Asmita theatre with Jaimini kr. Srivastava and Deepak Ochani. Arun Kukreja also performed it with well-known actor V.M. Badola.
France - In early 2006, Charles Berling directed and interpreted Caligula at the Workshop Theater in Paris.
Hungary - The play has recently been performed by the Radnóti Színház in Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
.
Greece - By the National Theatre of Greece in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
Japan - Directed by Yukio Ninagawa
Yukio Ninagawa
is a Japanese theatre director, particularly known for his Japanese language productions of Shakespeare plays and Greek tragedies. He has directed Hamlet differently six times....
, starring Shun Oguri, at the Bunkamura
Bunkamura
The Bunkamura is a concert hall, theater and museum located in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan, operated by Tokyu Group.- Venues :The four main venues are:*Orchard Hall: 2,150 seats*Theatre Cocoon: 747 seats*The Museum - Changing art exhibits...
Theatre Cocoon in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
.
Philippines - In 1981, Caligula was translated into Filipino
Filipino language
This move has drawn much criticism from other regional groups.In 1987, a new constitution introduced many provisions for the language.Article XIV, Section 6, omits any mention of Tagalog as the basis for Filipino, and states that:...
, directed and roled by Rolando S. Tinio
Rolando Tinio
Rolando Santos Tinio was a Filipino poet, dramatist, director, actor, critic, essayist and educator.-Biography:...
, Philippine National Artist
National Artist of the Philippines
A National Artist of the Philippines is a title given to a Filipino who has been given the highest recognition for having made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts...
as one of the productions of Teatro Pilipino
Teatro Pilipino
Teatro Pilipino was a resident drama company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines from 1976 to 1987. It was founded by Filipino playwright, translator, director, and educator Rolando S...
at the Cultural Center of the Philippines
Cultural Center of the Philippines
The Cultural Center of the Philippines is a government-owned and controlled corporation established to preserve, develop and promote arts and culture in the Philippines. The CCP was established through Executive Order No. 30 s. 1966 by President Ferdinand Marcos...
in Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
.
Brazil - Directed by Rui Xavier with Daniel Sommerfeld in the main role in 2009 for The Year of France in Brazil.
Additionally, the play has begun to attract the attention of collegiate and community theaters, being produced at universities such as:
Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
The College of William & Mary (Mystic Theatre)
New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Madrid, U.P.M. (2010, CAIN Theater Group)