This sensational, broad, swirling epic, filmed live from the National Theatre , is magnificently staged and acted with towering performances by Ralph Fiennes and Sophie Okonedo in the lead roles. Directed by Simon Godwin we see how the two worlds of Egypt and Rome collide and love blindly leads to tragedy.
The production has been transposed to now with mobiles, hi tech computer screens etc and contemporary speech patterns. But the poetry remains and is fresh and exciting ( eg Enobarbus’s “ purple barge “ speech ) .It begins with Caesar’s (Tunji Kasim) arrival at Cleopatra’s monument to discover she has just died and he issues order that she be buried alongside Antony. “No grave upon the earth shall clip in it ,A pair so famous.” We then look back on the great relationship between Antony and Cleopatra .
In Hildegard Bechtler’s set designs Egypt is represented by cool turquoise and water pools, Rome by stark polished offices and war rooms with precise hardness and neatness and displays of primitive masks ( Egyptian plunder? ) . Video footage of riot-shield clashes and a crescendo of mortar blasts in bombed-out streets put us bang in the middle of current middle-eastern clashes .There is a wonderful evocation of a submarine and The Monument uses tall simple lines. At times the use of the revolve is dizzying .Costume designs (for Cleopatra in particular) are ravishing .
Fiennes as Antony while in Egypt is a blundering hulky bear, bewitched by Cleopatra. Yet his Roman self is just below the surface -as soon as he has news from Rome we see him revert to the born solider he is , armouring himself while ignoring Cleopatra’s protests . He is torn between the two worlds and vulnerable , concerned about aging , worried about his reputation, shamed and despairing at the battle of Actium and his corruption of followers through his military failures. . He is noble yet sensual and the chemistry between Antony and Cleopatra sizzles.
As Cleopatra , Okenedo is an extraordinary chameleon of immense power and range , from self mocking and capricious , spitfire to purring cat ,to haughty and regal and everything in between . She angrily dips the messenger who brings news of Antony’s marriage in the pool . She is also jealous ( her questioning of the messenger about how she compares to Octavia is a bit like Queen Elizabeth 1’s comparison with Mary, Queen of Scots.) In some ways it is as if when Antony is away she regards him as a hallowed ideal . We see her strength , and yet we also see her vulnerability. Her death is extremely moving and there is a rather frightening ,large, live snake . Her attendants Charmain and Iras were terrifically played by Gloria Obianyo and Georgia Landers .
Of the other triumvirs , Octavian (the future Emperor Augustus) was impressively played by Tunji Kasim, is young , seemingly charming and full of vibrant life , the adroit epitome of a ‘good’ Roman. .Antony’s rather unsubtle attack on him is in some ways like the way the Dauphin treats Henry V early in that play. Confused , somewhat ignored Lepidus was terrifically played by Nicholas Le Prevost .Are we meant to see their various uniforms when they line up together against Pompey as Army , Navy and Airforce ? ) Suave , splashy yet amiable Pompey was oilily played by Sargon Yelda.
Enobarbus (played by Tim McMullan) is apparently extremely popular and becomes a tragic character when he betrays and deserts Antony who he once extremely admired.
In this production Agrippa is portrayed as calm, cool and extremely organised and efficient by Katy Stephens.
Poor Octavia , Caesar’s sister , was intensely played by Hannah Morrish , devastated at Antony’s fast repudiation – but I did find it a bit odd to have her as one of Caesar’s messengers to Cleopatra late in the play.
A gripping , compelling version of an epic play about two worlds colliding , tumultuous politics, power and passion and two people attempting to break down barriers and live their overwhelming love.
NT Live Antony and Cleopatra screens at selected cinemas from 2 February 2019
Running time 3 & ½ hours
http://www.sharmillfilms.com.au/allfilms/2018/9/24/nt-live-antony-and-cleopatra-2-feb