Shakespeare: Antony and Cleopatra (Royal Shakespeare Company)

Josette Simon (Cleopatra); Antony Byrne (Mark Antony); David Burnett (Pompey); James Corrigan (Agrippa); Ben Allen (Octavius Caesar); Andrew Woodall (Enobarbus); Patrick Drury (Lepidus); David Burnett (Pompey); Lucy Phelps (Octavia); Kristin Atherton (Iras); Paul Dodds (Menas); Aleed Elgadi (Alexas);

Following Caesar’s assassination, Mark Antony has reached theheights of power. Now he has neglected his empire for a life ofdecadent seduction with his mistress, Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt. Torn between love and duty, Antony’s military brilliance desertshim, and his passion leads the lovers to their tragic end.

Scarus/Mardian - Joseph Adelakun

Octavius Caesar Ben Allen

Iras - Kristin Atherton

Soothsayer - Will Bliss

Pompey - David Burnett

Mark Antony - Antony Byrne

Agrippa - James Corrigan

Menas - Paul Dodds

Lepidus/Schoolmaster - Patrick Drury

Alexas - Waleed Elgadi

Eros - Sean Hart

Charmian - Amber James

Proculeius/Menecrates - Luke MacGregor

Diomedes - Anthony Ofoegbu

Ventidius - Dharmesh Patel

Octavia - Lucy Phelps

Cleopatra - Josette Simon

Demetrius - Jon Tarcy

Maecenas - Marcello Walton

Enobarbus - Andrew Woodall

Director - Iqbal Khan

Music - Laura Mvula

Reviews

"Richly textured, with big saucy acting... Antony Byrne is the alpha male we’ve been looking for... Josette Simon’s historic Queen of the Nile epitomizes Iqbal Khan’s deluxe production... a lavish production – aided by Laura Mvula’s seductive score." (The Daily Mail ★★★★)

"Josette Simon is a Cleopatra to die for…an extraordinarily physical performance... Special mention must be made of Ben Allen’s Caesar. Intelligent, sensitive and personable, his nuanced delivery is exceptional... This production would make a fine introduction to the play, and it ends spectacularly." (The Observer ★★★★)

"This Antony & Cleopatra is the best I’ve ever seen... Constant, gripping quality of a political thriller…a palpable hit." (Evening Standard ★★★★)

"Josette Simon seems born to play Cleopatra." (The Guardian)

"Magnificent set by Robert Innes Hopkins, lit beautifully by Tim Mitchell... A stylish, exotic score by RSC debutant composer Laura Mvula... Bravado-laced performance from Antony Byrne... The clever and dynamic set serves the story superbly, as well as being sumptuous in its own right." (WhatsOn Stage)