ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, the smart production by NEW MATCHCOLLECTIVE is a highly entertaining version of the play highlighting the pettypolitical battles between people whose love for power keeps them all hopelesslyentwined in both love and war.
Cleopatra and Antony are in love with each other, but theyalso both love their individual power and glory. When Antony is called back toRome to take care of his responsibilities, and deal with other powerful Romansequally set on staying in charge the stakes are raised and it proves true the sayingthat “all is fair in love and war.”
Cleopatra (Joy Yvonne Jones) and Antony (Andrea Acuna) arethe title characters and they bring all of the fire, passion, and cunning thesetwo characters require. Jones is excellent as the regal if mercurial Queen ofEgypt, she’s is imperious and charismatic. Acuna as Antony, more than matches Jones with her calculating and commandingportrayal of the Roman general.
Political deception and betrayals abound in this play, and theAntony choses to war (because that’s always proven to solve everything) butwhen he loses a battle he denounces Cleopatra, in anger. She decides to win back his love by pretendingshe has killed herself, his name upon her lips as she lays dying. (Please addDrama Queen to her titles).
The play is supported by a strong ensemble of KandaceCrystal, Nicki Browne, Nicole Riedel, Carrie Kirtz, Elizabeth Priest, ChristinaAphaivong, and Lexi Vierra. Standoutsinclude Crystal as Octavius, Nicole Riedel as Pompey, and Browne as Enobarbus.
Director Jasmin Haddad cleverly directs this production awayfrom the heavy drama and over emphasized romance that has become the norm forthis show. Instead it explores all ofthe relationships in the show; petty politics, personal vanity, and the powerstruggles between them all. This allowsfor a sassier vein of humor to appear that captures the ridiculousness of allof these people who believe themselves to be better than all the rest.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, performing through July 21stby New Match Collective brings to admirable life a Shakespeare show that is notas frequently done, get your ticket before it’s gone.
For ticket and show time information go to www.tinyurl.com/antandcleotix