Caligula: Performers' physical interpretation of character (build, age, height, facial features, movement, posture, gesture, facial expression)

Caligula: Performers’ physical interpretation of character (build, age, height, facial features, movement, posture, gesture, facial expression)

Characterisation in Performance

  • In his physicality, Caligula should present as a young man in his late twenties to early thirties, embodying the historical figure’s actual age during his reign.
  • His build should display a sense of strength and authority. He’s not necessarily muscular, but he can hold his own, reflecting the demands of his role as emperor.
  • The height of Caligula is not specified, but he should command an imposing presence on stage, larger than life to reflect his absolute power.

Use of Movement and Posture

  • Caligula’s movements should be bold and assertive, mirroring his aggressive and unpredictable behaviour.
  • His posture should shift throughout the play, initially upright and confident, then increasingly slumped or hunched with the escalating madness.
  • Unpredictable gestures help to hint at his mental instability, with sudden and jerky movements reflecting his erratic behaviour.

Facial Expression and Features

  • Caligula’s facial expressions should embody a gamut of emotions: contempt, joy, sorrow, rage, mania - all testaments to his volatile emotional state.
  • A genuine smile should be rare, replaced with a manic grin or a scowl, echoing his disillusionment with life and contempt for his subjects.
  • His eyes should carry an intense gaze, exhibiting the madness and despair within him. There should be a chilling possibility that he could snap and lash out at any given moment.

Age and Make-Up

  • The age and make-up of the character should illustrate the progressive strain that his mental deterioration places on him. He should appear increasingly gaunt and pallid.
  • The use of make-up to show signs of physical wear (like bloodshot eyes or pale skin) could help underline the physical manifestation of his internal struggles.
  • Caligula’s physicality should show his descent into madness, making his character more terrifying and pitiable as the play progresses.