Have enormous appreciation for Shakespeare and his plays ever since being introduced to 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and 'Macbeth' in primary school, when reading the text aloud and analysing as a class which fascinated and benefitted me (not everybody liked doing it though). 'Antony and Cleopatra' is for me towards the top ranking his plays, beautiful text (though the script is one of his wordiest), one of his most passionate stories and with two of Shakespeare's most justifiably iconic characters.
This 2015 Shakespeare Globe production is very, very good, with many superb elements albeit one significant debit that stops the production from being brilliant. Have been really impressed by all the filmed Shakespeare Globe productions available, with the best of them being outstanding and containing more than great performances. Which is obvious here in this 'Antony and Cleopatra'. Is it one of the best productions seen of 'Antony and Cleopatra' seen? Not quite, but it very nearly was.
It looks great, very grand yet tasteful and nothing feels excessive or has anything in the spectacle that distracts from the drama or swamps it. The video directing as usual is suitably intimate and with a being in the audience ambience, while having enough expanse to avoid too much claustrophobia or over staginess. It's atmospherically scored, not too low key while not being grandiose.
Also found the stage direction very impressive and mostly true to Shakespeare's intentions, very clear and concise with no questionable, senseless or offensive touches that can be found in theatre, opera and ballet productions. Everything in the drama has a reason for being there and feels relevant, the drama is both intense and poignant, the political element isn't heavy handed and that the central chemistry is brought to the forefront was a wise move and the right one. Having a colder, crueller Octavius Caesar than usual was intriguing (it worked) and the ending is moving.
Nearly all the performances are excellent, top honours going to an electrifying Eve Best as Cleopatra. Such a wide range of emotions fully embodied. Clive Wood is a noble, virile yet also at times bullish Antony and his chemistry with Best scintillates. Jolyon Coy is deceptively elegant while also quite chilling.
Unfortunately, Phil Daniels' Enobarbus disappoints and it felt like he missed the point of the character. A significant drawback seeing as Enobarbus is one of my favourite characters in 'Antony and Cleopatra' and provides a lot of the play's heart. With Daniels' interpretation only the sardonic trait is done well (though emphasised too much), the character is actually an at times tragic one and one doesn't get that with Daniels to the point that anybody watching the play for the first time would swear he was subtle comic relief.
Overall, very, very good, particularly for Best. With a better Enobarbus it could have been brilliant. 8/10.
