In the words of the great man himself, “If you have tears, prepare to shed them now,” unless you were one of the happy few who saw Another Way Theatre’s production of “Antony and Cleopatra” in Caterham. 

Cole Porter’s advice jars - ”If your blonde won’t respond when you flatter’er, /Tell her what Tony told Cleopaterer” – because every word of admiration bestowed by the two protagonists (Chris & Nicky Chambers) upon each other was full of heartfelt sincerity, all the more cheering when we contrast this modest husband and wife team from Warlingham and their modest (but convincing) budget production with the lavish extravaganza of the notorious Burton-Taylor film of the same story. 

Jean Hammond’s costumes were exquisite, the music suitably exotic, with snake-like elements during the biggest asp-disaster scene.

Props were fine – Cleopatra’s love couch, smoke for battles, ship sails, torches for the darker moments and bleakly auguring black crows.

We start with Blind Man’s Buff, symbolizing A & C’s escapism, not surprising when we later hear of what a toughie celebrity soldier Antony (Chris Chambers) used to be.

All the cast were impressive even if the greatest star was inevitably Shakespeare himself. How fresh and meaningful was the language, and how well interpreted! The lovers’ obsession brings out the bard’s creative best: “There’s beggary in the love that can be reckon’d.”

“Eternity was in our lips and eyes.”

“So I hence fleeting here remain with thee.” (So much psychological truth is held in the oxymoron!)

Unforgettable too is the mental picture, inspiring so much painting, of Cleopatra’s arrival by barge.

And does this sound familiar? – “Age cannot wither her…”

What has “a gypsy’s lust” done to Antony? Octavian (Luke Walsh) speaks with genuine admiration of how he had been “so like a soldier”. The future Augustus came across as a really 3D personality, genuinely caring for his sister but always shrewd in politics.

Maecenas (Dan Avery), future Minister of Culture, made a convincing soldier, counsellor and messenger. His being whipped contrasted the restoration of treasure to Enobarbus (Andrew Fitch), indicating respectively the dark and generous sides of Antony’s character. In this, he matches Cleopatra’s (Nicky Chambers) unpredictability (though sometimes hers is deliberate, as in her coquettish behaviour towards him). 

It has been said that conflict is the essence of drama. So we get civil war, the clash between the individual and the state, duty and inclination, arranged marriage and adultery, sobriety and drunkenness (particularly demonstrated by Caesar and Lepidus (Robert Rowe), promises and politics.

My favourite moment? When Cleopatra speaks of the now dead Antony: “His legs bestrid the ocean…”

Small wonder the programme notes call it a soap opera.

Like his supposed ancestor Hercules, Antony’s reason is lost - through the most dangerous addiction of all, namely love.

                                                                                                                      Reviewer  M.A.G. 20.6.2013

So - Jean, Wiggy, Penny and Ellie headed off to The National Costume Hire to have a look at armour and I am sure it will compliment Jean's hand-made costumes brilliantly. Back in the rehearsal room we tackled the sea battle - Glyn Williams ably choreographing to the brilliant Hussein Zahawy's music. Then, we had a go at the whipping scene and the scene after The Battle Of Actium when Ant and Cleo see each other again - we also worked on Octavia's return to Rome and her time in Athens with Antony. A full day working on text and quite a few laughs in the process. We welcome the excellent Luke Walsh to the cast - an actor local to the area who will also be starring in The Rabbit King at The Arc! - he will be playing Ceasar. So we are getting back on track - in fact it feels like the dream team. And we are all very excited about bringing Antony & Cleopatra to The Minack (pictured) and The Caterham and Purley Festivals. Best of luck to Elliot Young (Menas/Scarus) who will be performing in STOMP this week.

Great to visit Jean Hammond's studio TollersDesignStudio to choose fabrics for Antony & Cleopatra costumes. Jean will be handmaking all the costumes. Pictured is set designer Wiggy Wilson making some notes!

CAST

AGRIPPA - TBC
ANTONY - Chris Chamberlain
CHARMIAN - Elaine Hartley
CLEOPATRA - Nicky Chambers
CAESAR - Denholm Spurr
ENOBARBUS - Andy Fitch
EROS/ALEXAS - Glyn Williams
IRAS/OCTAVIA - Rebecca Livermore
LEPIDUS/CLOWN - Robert Rowe
MAECENAS - Dan Avery
MENAS/SCARUS - Elliot Young
POMPEY/DOLABELLA - Andy Mulquin
THE SOOTHSAYER - David Kay

We are very pleased that Eleanor Chadwick will be joining us as Co-Director on Antony & Cleopatra. 


Ellie’s love of classic theatre motivated her to start up Elysium Theatre, and she has enjoyed the challenge of directing and producing the summer shows. Ellie is currently finishing a Master of Fine Arts in Staging Shakespeare at Exeter University, a course which includes workshops at Shakespeare’s Globe theatre in London and time spent at the RSC. During her time in Exeter she has performed various Shakespearean roles such as Desdemona in ‘Othello’ at the University and as Isabella in ‘Measure for Measure’ at the Exeter Fringe Festival, and for a bit of a change co-directed a production of ‘Beowulf’ at the end of 2011. For her first degree Ellie read English Literature at Bristol University. In 2009 she trained in Stage Combat at the Cygnet Theatre in Exeter and achieved a certificate for BADC Level One. In her spare time she also enjoys painting, gaming, walking, cooking, dressmaking and Pilates.