Photos: Anthony and Cleopatra
Picture: Anthony and Cleopatra, 4MBS Shakespeare Festival (image credit: Creative Futures Photography)
As one of the longer plays in the Shakespeare canon, Anthony and Cleopatra might not appear to be the best choice for an outdoor Shakespeare Festival production. However, Xanthe Jones (Assistant Director, Costume Design & Choreography) is credited with having ‘trimmed the play down to reflect their [Anthony and Cleopatra’s] journey as well as amalgamate certain characters to align with their central plot.’ As Director Jacqui Somerville also notes, this means that ‘At the heart of our [4MBS] production is the relationship between Antony & Cleopatra, an ill-fated love story between two people of power and circumstance from two different worlds that collide and implode […]. We have focused on the difference between the worlds of Egypt and Rome: Cleopatra's Egypt is feminine, passionate and exotic and the world of Rome is cold, brutal and harsh.’
My personal highlights of the 18th 4MBS Shakespeare Festival production (Ben Lynskey, Creative Producer) were performances by Ashlee Lollback (as a gloriously costumed Cleopatra), Tomas Pocilujko (a memorable portrayal of the hard-working Messenger), Francesca Savige (Alexas), and Stephen Hirst (Mark Antony). But my thanks to all members of the cast for their roles in this enjoyable evening event, including Andrew Hearle (Octavius Caesar), Danny Brown (Enobarbus), Colin W Smith (Lepidus), Siena D’Arienzo (Charmian), Sarah McLeod (Iras/Octavia) and Giuseppe D’Allura (Canidius).
Picture: Danny Brown (Enobarbus) Credit: Creative Futures Photography
Picture (L to R): Ashlee Lollback (Cleopatra) and Tomas Pocilujko (Messenger) Credit: Creative Futures Photography
Picture (L to R): Andrew Hearle (Octavius Caesar) and Colin W Smith (Lepidus). Credit: Creative Futures Photography.
Picture (L to R): Ashlee Lollback (Cleopatra), Tomas Pocilujko (Messenger), and Francesca Savige (Alexas). Credit: Creative Futures Photography
Picture (L to R): Stephen Hirst (Mark Antony) and Ashlee Lollback (Cleopatra). Credit: Creative Futures Photography.
Picture: ‘Canidius’ [Eros] (Giuseppe D’Allura). Credit: Creative Futures Photography.
Picture (L to R): Sarah McLeod (Iras/Octavia), Ashlee Lollback (Cleopatra) and Siena D’Arienzo (Charmian). Credit: Creative Futures Photography.
The Roma Street Amphitheatre is a great space, and arriving early ensures a shady seat and the opportunity to enjoy pre-show activities that this year included a very popular Shakespearean Dance Workshop & Demonstration (Dr Heather Blasdale Clarke, accompanied by the Phillip’s Dog Ensemble)… as well as the ever-popular Shakespearean language talk, face painting, and Prima Spada swordplay demonstration. It was great to see so many families out together, enjoying the warm Brisbane evening and a professional production of Shakespeare’s Anthony & Cleopatra.
Picture: Anthony and Cleopatra (image credit: Creative Futures Photography)
We enjoyed the Sunday 3 November 2024 performance, held in Roma Street Parkland. The 18th 4MBS Shakespearean Festival included two performances of Anthony & Cleopatra (2-3 November). Child, tertiary student, and companion tickets were free (pre-booked ‘free’ tickets attracted a booking fee), with a $15 charge for adult tickets (plus booking fee). For more information and a copy of the detailed program, visit https://www.4mbs.com.au/festivals-events/brisbane-shakespeare-festival-2024/).
Pictures Credit: Creative Futures Photography.