Snakes on a stage

Audiences at the National’s Antony and Cleopatra are being given a sort of trigger warning that a real snake is used in the heroine’s death scene. The theatre is right to give a warning, for herpetologists will be shocked to see that it is a milk snake being clutched to the bosom of the Egyptian queen. A poor little milk snake wouldn’t do her any harm. Imagine the stripy creature’s disappointment upon being introduced to the warm and hospitable bosom only to be flung carelessly aside for Charmian, the lady-in-waiting, to snatch up in a copycat act of serpentine abuse. Of course, in reality no snakes are harmed. The chief snake and its understudies have a lovely time, with a trained handler and a ready supply of defrosted mice. But modern audiences should realise that a snake is for life, not just for suicide.