Caesar and Cleopatra

I rented this recently, after waiting an unconscionable time because it was always out from my local Blockbuster. Due to the fact that I am an English teacher, I see rather more filmed plays than the ordinary joe does and this was one of the superior ones. I didn't quite feel like I was in the theatre, but nor did I feel like I was watching something that didn't belong on the screen.

Plummer is old for the role, but he has all the presence of a great ruler. James was transcendent, although a little too hysterical in her more immature bits. Donaldson was remarkably suitable in this, which I didn't think he was going to be when I saw his name.

Costuming and staging were really entertaining.

Like the reviewer who didn't like it, I'm not sure what point Shaw was trying to make except for the rather broad and obvious satirical stabs at Britain, the sharpest points of which were dulled by a sort of silly sentimentality. However, I didn't feel it needed one point, particularly. It was a fine interpretation of the possible relationship between a Caesar and a Cleopatra - full of love and believable tensions.

I really enjoyed this production.