How very apt that ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA was being performed on the 10th and 11th May. Part of the play deals with politicians trying to negotiate deals and sort out the balance of power and that of course was exactly what was happening in London 2010 as – following the Hung Parliament as a result of the General Election – politicians of the three main parties engaged in talks to determine what form a coalition might take. Our Shakespeare certainly DID know all about holding the mirror up to nature but I am sure we wish a longer lasting political outcome than that known by Antony, Caesar and Lepidus or Cleopatra!
The above thoughts certainly enriched my further enjoyment of this superb modern dress production when I saw it on the evening of 11th May. The treachery of Proculeius and the position from which Caesar delivers his political eulogy at the end were particularly telling and underlined the dramatic excellence shown by Michael Boyd and his ensemble.
I should also mention that it was so very good to see Darrell D’Silva now being able to use both arms and with Kathryn Hunter giving us quite memorable and moving performances of the title roles.
The more I see this play, the more riches I find to justify Harley Granville -Barker’s quote which I have used as the title for these blogs.
Tony Boyd-Williams
RSC Friends 
I thought Antony and Cleopatra was Brilliant! I thought Kathryn Hunter and Darrell D’Silva had great chemistry together! You really get the idea that these two have just fallen for each other, I really felt sorry for Antony, especially when he thinks he has been betrayed, Aw!
The play has got a lot of humour in it, the scenes with the messenger are just hysterical, I loved the couple of added jokes, Paul Hamilton squirms so well! Darrell D’Silva even manages to get a laugh in his death scene! I Loved it! I’m lucky enough to be going to the post show talk back next week, Must try to think of an intelligent question!
Shauni, please report back from the Talkback! I’d love to hear about it. So gutted I won’t be there.
I was absolutely knocked out by this production too. Saw it on Monday night and I’m still on an adrenalin rush high. I’ve never seen such a grown-up portrayal of love in A&C before – in fact it occurs to me after seeing this show, I’ve never seen LOVE in A&C before. I’ve seen manipulation and lust and simpering – but wow, the power when it is clear Antony knows Cleopatra and her faults but yet loves her, deeply. Heartbreaking at end when Cleo is still prattling on and it SOOTHES dying Antony, because it’s her, and he loves her. And then Cleopatra’s pain when it hits her what she has lost … all so moving, and such a fine represenation of mature love, especially when you see it in contrast with Romeo and Juliet a night or two before. Darrell D’Silva in particular: wow.
He’s only got a couple of plasters on his fingers now, so he’s clearly on the mend. Does anyone know what actually happened in the accident?
Also if any one is going to next Thursday’s post-show talkback on the show, report back! I’m gutted that I can’t get up there for it, to hear about how such a special production and characterisations came about.