Antony & Cleopatra
Dates of performance
January 1972
Overview
Julius Caesar as assassinated in B.C. 44 and after the quelling of the rebellious faction, the Roman world was divided by three most powerful men, known as the Triumviri. These were Octavius Caesar, Lepidus and Mark Anthony. At the beginning of the play there are ominous dissensions among the Triumviri.
The fascination of Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, has ensnared Antony, who lingers near her and neglects his military and governing duties, until he is recalled to Rome first by the threat of civil war, and then by the death of his wife Fulvia, who was implicated in the strife.
In Rome, a tempory truce is made with the rebel Pompey, quarrels are patched up and to consolidate the reconciliation of Antony and Octavius, his sister Octavia is married to Antony, who then leaves for Athens to supervise campaigns in the East.
Anthony’s friends accompany him everywhere he goes the closest is Enbarbus, and among others are Eros and Scarcus.
Meanwhile Octavius is ambitious and determined to be the sole ruler. He defeats and kills Pompey, disarms Lepidus and “speaks scantly” of Anthony in public. Anthony in is once again united with Cleopatra, and Octavia returns sadly to Rome. Octavius is incensed by this, and his cold, imperial mentality finds Egypt fleet deserts, again later a second affray, giving victory to Octavius.
Cast List
| MARK ANTHONY | Triumviri | ROY PURCELL |
| OCTAVIUS CAESAR | Triumviri | KEITH GRENVILLE |
| LEPIDUS | Triumviri | MICHAEL DRIN |
| POMPEY | MICHAEL FISHER | |
| ENOBARBUS | Friend to Antony | PHILIP BIRKINSHAW |
| EROS | Friend to Antony | MICHAEL NEWELL |
| SCARUS | Friend to Antony | MICHAEL SWINTON |
| MACAENAS | Friend to Caesar | NOBBY CLARK |
| AGRIPPA | Friend to Caesar | DON MAQUIRE |
| DOLABELA | Friend to Caesar | MICHAEL SWINTON |
| MENAS | Friend to Pompey | BARRY JERVIS |
| CANDIUS | Lt General to Anthony | JAY HEALE |
| ALEXAS | LIMPIE BASSON | |
| MESSANGER | To Cleopatra | RON FENTON |
| DIOMEDES | JAY HEALE | |
| SOOTHSAYER | DICK LEFTWICH | |
| CLOWN | MICHAEL DRIN | |
| EUPHRONIUS | Ambassador from Antony to Caesar | LIMPIE BASSON |
| CLEOPATRA | Queen of Egypt | CECILIA SONNENBERG |
| OCTAVIA | Sister to Caesar & Wife to Antony | JEANNE WENBERG |
| CHARMAIN | Attendant to Cleopatra | JUDITH GIBSON |
| IRAS | Attendant to Cleopatra | LYNNE MAREE |
| EQYPTIAN | Attendant to Cleopatra | JEANNE WENBERG |
| INCLUDE ATTENDANTS ETC | ||
Creative List
| STAGE DIRECTOR | JOHN RAMSBOTTOM |
| STAGE MANAGER | AVRIL BEE |
| ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS | ANNE WILKINSON & PADDY SHILDER |
| F.O.H. MANAGER | MARIE MCIVOR |
| WARDROBE MISTRESS | ANN LOW |
| COSTUME DESIGN | JENNIFER CRAIG |
| COSTUME ASSISTANT | VIRGINIA ERENTZEE |
| SET | CRAIG CURTIS |
