Caesar and Cleopatra

Saw 'Caesar and Cleopatra' for three things in particular. One being that it was from Stratford Festival, which immediately piqued my interest due to liking their Shakesperean work a lot. Two being that George Bernard Shaw's play is very fascinating, cleverly written and insightful. Three being for the late immensely talented Christopher Plummer, actually watched it in his memory after hearing great things about this production. Not to mention seeing an older Caesar.

This 'Caesar and Cleopatra' was a very high quality and very interesting production, enlivened by the performances, the chemistry between the two titular characters and and the drama. As well as Shaw's biting writing. While not everything works, a vast majority of it does and at its best brilliantly. If asked whether 'Caesar and Cleopatra' is recommended, my answer would be a very easy yes. Those familiar with the source material will enjoy it and the production does do well with making it accessible for first time viewers.

'Caesar and Cleopatra' isn't perfect, with agreed the intermission being unnecessary and Paul Dunn's Ptolemy being on the bland and too foolish side.

However, so much is absolutely great. Plummer gives a bravura performance as an older Caesar, what a powerful noble stage presence he had and his Shakespearean-like line delivery captivated. Nikki M James is a sensual Cleopatra that is full of passion, personally don't think she overdid it and it is an easy role to overdo. The chemistry between the two was passionately tense and affecting. Peter Donaldson's Rufio was beautifully subtle. Only Dunn disappoints. Regardless of whether Shaw's point is not easy to understand on first glance, his writing is clever and sharp. The comedy genuinely amuses and isn't overdone and the more dramatic moments are moving.

Also the political tensions are relevant today and strong in the tension department. The staging is intelligently done and done in good taste and in a way that is not hard to follow, there is also a live theatre production feel while being opened up enough to avoid being static or stagy. The character interaction is beautifully detailed and isn't simplistic. The production values are easy on the eye and never come over as distasteful or irrelevant, the time and place doesn't confuse either. It's intimately but also expansively photographed and the ambience has an authenticity to it, which is something that has always been striking with filmed Stratford productions.

Overall, very impressive. 8/10.

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.

all I can say is when will see this kind of theater on the screen again? The acting was divine and the production quality filled the screen beautifully. Every detail from the cast led by plummer was full of emotion and visceral power.

The audience I was with thrilled to every moment. This is the future of entertainment for all ages. Bravo to Stratford and Cineplex. What is next?

If you spend the time to let the performances and text wash over you, you find yourself in a the very best theater has to offer. I spent countless hours in theater in London and New York and this ranks with the most wonderful memories I have. The mix of Shaw's wit, the bravado of Plummer and sensual character of James is simply breathless.