Antony & Cleopatra by William Shakespeare, directed by Ralph Johnson, Victoria Esplanade Arboretum, Palmerston North, until March 9.REVIEW: Shakespeare is alive and well in this bouncy exploration of his historical Roman tragedy from 1607. This is no Romeo & Juliet, and calling Antony & Cleopatra a tragedy in the traditional sense perhaps overstates things, as the play is not without comic and romantic interludes and combat. Under a two-tier pyramidal pergola beneath the tall Arboretum trees, the sweep and sway of events following the death of Julius Caesar play out. He makes use of multiple entrance and exit points through a rear curtain, and the production proceeds at a good clip. There's scene-stealing from Catherine Mills' soothsayer and Mark Kilsby's asp-carrying clown, with live accompaniment from Simon Loveday's musical ensemble.

Source: Stuff March 01, 2019 01:41 UTC