IT’S SEX, CHICANERY AND SANDALS AT THE RSC
THE RSC has launched an impressively virile season of the Bard’s Roman plays in Stratford-upon-Avon. Stand by for sex, chicanery and sandals.
Of these first two offerings, I preferred Antony & Cleopatra. Angus Jackson’s production of Julius Caesar has plenty of modern resonance, from fake news to spin doctoring potentates. But Iqbal Khan’s Ant & Cleo is richly textured, with big saucy acting.
As ringleader of the conspirators in Caesar, Alex Waldmann’s Brutus nails the honourable bit; but he’s such a small, tenderhearted chap it’s hard to picture him striking fear into the hearts of his enemies in battle.
he fares best with the light homo-eroticism of the production: pecs and six- packs on parade, in front of Robert Innes hopkins’s stern design of Doric columns. Ancient Rome might have fared better with Martin hutson’s intense, intelligent and persuasively butch Cassius at the helm. You can see why he can’t be dealing with the mannered showmanship of Andrew Woodall’s glib Caesar.
The only other candidate is James Corrigan as Caesar’s apologist Mark Antony, who’s manly at first, but turns trashy once he sniffs success.
Playing the same character in Shakespeare’s sequel, Antony & Cleopatra, Antony Byrne is the alpha male we’ve been looking for: a big ginger gorilla. he has a tender, sensual side to go with his violent rages.
But Josette Simon’s histrionic Queen of the Nile epitomises Khan’s deluxe production. Long, languid Simon plays fast and louche with the language, but this is an amusing study of boredom, caprice and petulance.
equally enjoyable are Amber James and Kristin Atherton as Cleo’s plump - cleavaged attendants. The orotund Andrew Woodall crops up again as Antony’s friend enobarbus.
It’s a lavish production — aided by Laura Mvula’s seductive score, which weaves in rolling drums, reedy squeals, erotic twangs and shimmering gongs.
But it’s also nearly three-and-ahalf hours long, so if you’re thinking of doing both, with Caesar coming in at three hours, I recommend bed rest in between.