Genre: Tragedy
Chapter: 5
Listen: 1
Joseph Addison is known mostly for his periodical, “The Spectator”, written with his friend Richard Steele. But he found time to write a few plays – with and without Steele (Cato is without) – before being elevated to Secretary of State and putting drama aside.
This play was supposedly staged by George Washington after the winter of 1778 at Valley Forge as an inspiration to his officers on self-sacrificing republican virtues. Many quotes of American revolution leaders – Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or Give me death” and Nathan Hale’s “I only regret I have but one life to lose for my country” – are drawn from this play. – Summary by ToddHW
Cast list:
Cato: Greg Giordano
Portius: Adrian Stephens
Marcus: Tomas Peter
Sempronius: Inkell
Juba: Jim Locke
Syphax: Cavaet
Lucius: Alan Mapstone
Decius: Kerry Adams
Lucia: Sonia
Marcia: Anna Maria
1st Leader of the Mutiny: David Purdy
Stage Directions and Editing: ToddHW