Have enormous appreciation for Shakespeare and his plays ever since being introduced to 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and 'Macbeth' in primary school, when reading the text aloud and analysing as a class which fascinated and benefitted me (not everybody liked doing it though). 'Antony and Cleopatra' is for me towards the top ranking his plays, beautiful text and with two of Shakespeare's most justifiably iconic characters.
While with imperfections, the National Theatre Live performance of 'Antony and Cleopatra' had many fabulous things about it and was overall very good. A long haul but well worth it at the end of the day. Though, considering the calibre of the leads, it did have potential to be great and didn't quite reach that. It looks good and most of the performances can't be carped about, but some pacing issues and one not so good performance brings the production down somewhat.
The production does lose momentum at times and sometimes drag. A big part of the problem being the changes from each scene to the next, with the visuals being so technical with the revolving the changes are overlong and interrupt the flow. The revolving was a good way of having the intention to make scene changes quicker, but it would have worked better if used for some transitions not all.
'Antony and Cleopatra's' (2018) cast weak link is Tunji Kasim, who doesn't have anywhere near the amount of authority or mix of admiration and contempt for Antony needed for the role of Caesar. With the lack of grasp of the Shakespearean language and bland presence, he came over as clearly taxed by his role and it is not even the most difficult role in the play.
Everybody else fares much better though, everybody else being very good to fantastic. My favourite performance came from Sophie Okonedo as a firey and sultry Cleopatra, where it is so easy to see what Antony sees in her. She smoulders with Ralph Fiennes, bringing authority, dignity and poignancy to Antony and excelling best in the more tragic parts where Fiennes' brilliance in playing conflicted characters really does shine. The standout in support is Tim McMullen as Enobarbus, dignified and moving and really do hope that McMullen's career continues to grow.
Visually, this 'Antony and Cleopatra' is the very meaning of grand and lavish. Those sets being a feast for the eyes and atmospherically lit. Shakespeare's dialogue still has the beautiful phrases, the humanity and wide range of emotions that he is well esteemed for and although there are pacing issues the story's spirit is firmly intact and as tense and moving as ought, especially towards the end.
In summary, very good. 8/10
