The production of Antony and Cleopatra recently performed at the Liverpool Playhouse (directed by Janet Suzman) was clearly a good solid safe production of the play. It felt that the time had been spent on speaking the verse and thinking about blocking scenes, and I felt there were very few flaws.

There were some very nice touches.  As they take their seats, the audience see the stage through a gauze curtain. We are introduced to Egypt in the middle of a celebration. Cleopatra is masked and she turns to the audience to reveal herself.  We find Antony in a drunken stupor at her feet.  The production was able to show us a Cleopatra at play and at work.  When at work Cleopatra puts her glasses on and sat at a table signing documents.  There are also moments of humour such as Cleopatra’s attendants teasing Mardian as he is not very good at playing his music.