Overview
Broadcast live from the National Theatre, Ralph Fiennes and Sophie Okonedo play Shakespeare’s famous fated couple in his great tragedy of politics, passion and power.
The National Theatre’s autumn blockbuster production is slick, stylish and modern with a huge revolving set (including a swimming pool on stage), a big supporting cast and gorgeous costumes, and real snakes on stage.
In the aftermath of Julius Caesar’s assassination, General Mark Antony now rules alongside his fellow defenders of Rome. But the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra and Mark Antony have fallen fiercely in love. Having neglected his political duties whilst in Egypt, Antony returns to Rome, to attempt to restore his political position. Torn between his duty to Rome and his devotion to Cleopatra, Antony’s actions spark a war which threatens to destroy their love.
Director Simon Godwin returns to National Theatre Live screens with this hotly anticipated production, following broadcasts of Twelfth Night, Man and Superman and The Beaux’ Stratagem
A SHORT SYNOPSIS OF THE PLAY
Antony, one of the three rulers of the Roman Empire, willfully neglects his state and military duties while conducting an affair with Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt. When Antony’s wife, Fulvia, suddenly dies, his sense of duty returns. Rome has been suffering in Antony’s absence and he has been summoned to assist fellow members of the triumvirate, Caesar and Lepidus, to manage the escalating threat of war from Pompey, a major rival for leadership of the empire. Antony arrives in Rome. A marriage of convenience takes place between Antony and Caesar’s sister, Octavia, to solidify the triumvirate’s alliance and prevent Antony returning to Cleopatra. A peace treaty is negotiated with Pompey. However, as soon as Antony leaves, Caesar arrests Lepidus, kills Pompey and claims both their territories as his own. Antony is angered by this, and Octavia visits Caesar to heal the rift. But she no sooner embarks on her peace mission than Antony leaves for Egypt, returning to Cleopatra and making her joint ruler of his kingdom. An enraged Caesar declares war on Antony, who unites his army with Cleopatra’s. The two sides head into battle, fighting for their empires and their lives.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Director: Simon Godwin
Set Designer: Hildegard Bechtler
Costume Designer: Evie Gurney
Lighting Designer: Tim Lutkin
Music: Michael Bruce
Movement Directors: Jonathan Goddard, Shelley Maxwell
Sound Designer: Christopher Shutt
Video Designer: Luke Halls
Fight Director: Kev McCurdy
CAST, in order of speaking
Caesar: Tunji Kasim
Agrippa: Katy Stephens
Cleopatra: Sophie Okonedo
Antony: Ralph Fiennes
Eros: Fisayo Akinade
Charmian: Gloria Obianyo
Iras: Georgia Landers
Soothsayer: Hiba Elchikhe
Enobarbus: Tim McMullan
Proculeius: Ben Wiggins
Sicyon Official: Shazia Nicholls
Lepidus: Nicholas Le Prevost
Thidias: Sam Woolf
Pompey: Sargon Yelda
Menas: Gerald Gyimah
Varrius: Waleed Hammad
Euphronius: Nick Sampson
Octavia: Hannah Morrish
Canidius: Alan Turkington
Scarus: Alexander Cobb
Ventidius: Henry Everett
Supernumeraries: Samuel Arnold, Catherine Deevy
Musicians: Magnus Mehta (Music Director / Percussion), Joley Cragg (Percussion), Kwêsi Edman (Cello), Sarah Manship (Woodwind), Arngeir Hauksson (Guitar / Oud)
THOC (Central Stage)
Tuesday, February 5th 2019
Time: 20:00
Tickets – Information:
Tel.: 77 77 27 17
www.thoc.org.cy
Subtitles: Greek & Turkish
Running time:
3 hours and 40 minutes (including an interval)
