Reader Reviews
Antony and Cleopatra (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon)
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 | 1) Whatever the main reviewer might think, the costumes in this production are not "period" in any sense whatever. The Romans are dressed in long, tailored tunics over trousers and look like something from a touring production of "Return of the Jedi". Cleopatra's handmaidens did not wear halterneck cocktail dresses. Enobarbus looks like he has wandered in off the set of "Lord of the Rings" in a green, hobbitesque, shapeless robe and trousers with an annoying, glittery scarf. And nowhere I do I remember seeing pictures of the real Mark Anthony wearing a baggy, tie dye T shirt with his hair in braids. I hated these costumes. 2) Stuart Wilson plays Anthony like a raving old hippy and his irritating, squeaky voice and histrionic gestures made me long for his death. 3) What is the point of presenting a play about the classic Triumvirate of Roman power and cutting 1/3 of the Triumvirate out of the plot completely? This made no sense. 4) Roman warriors, as far as I know, never did the Maori war dance at their revels. Pointless. 4) The only good points about this production were Cusack's mesmerising performance as the Serpent of Old Nile (she certainly knocked spots of Helen Mirren in the NT production), the wonderfully creepy Soothsayer (good touch to have him bring in the bowl of figs in the final scene, rather than the previously unseen "Clown" as in the text) and the calm, dignified gravity of the young black woman playing Charmian, whose body language made her a joy to watch as she was so convincing in everything she did and said. Four people in front of us left at the interval and I can't say I blame them. - USER: Whatsonstage.com | 30 Aug 02 |
| This isn't a review, but a reminder for anyone who read Stuart Wilson's previous credits in the programme and couldn't remember who he played in "I Claudius". I racked my brains until I saw the series on video last weekend - Wilson was Gaius Sicilius, Messalina's lover and (briefly) husband... - USER: Whatsonstage.com | 08 Jul 02 |
| Tremendously enjoyable production of a play which is notoriously difficult to bring off. The critics have not been kind to Stuart Wilson, but I thought he was an excellent Antony - admittedly he doesn't have the most beautiful voice in the world but he conveys the pathos of the man's downfall very well. Sinead Cusack as Cleopatra looks and sound ravishing, but I have to agree with your reviewer that she lacks passion. Full marks to Clive Wood and Israel Aduramo, who not only give fine performances as Enobarbus and Eros but also devised the superb African-style dance in the drunken knees-up scene. - USER: Whatsonstage.com | 30 Jun 02 |
