Type and hit ENTER

Commonly used tags...

Brighton Festival Brighton Fringe Brighton Pride British Sea Power Cinecity Lewes Psychedelic Festival Locally Sourced Lost & Found Love Supreme Festival Mutations Festival Nick Cave Poets Vs MCs Politics Rag'n'Bone Man Record Store Day Save Our Venues Six Of The Best Source Virgins Streets Of Brighton Street Source Tattoos The Great Escape Tru Thoughts Unsung Heroes
  • Home
  • News
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Food
  • Tickets
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Advertise
  • Home
  • News
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Food
  • Tickets
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Advertise
Reviews

Brighton Fringe Review: Antony And Cleopatra

May 15, 2018
-
Posted by Mike Aiken

This crafty reworking of Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy takes us to where political power, personal honesty, and moral codes all collide.

Cleopatra is a beautiful and powerful Egyptian queen. Mark Antony is a head honcho in the Roman Empire. But he gets distracted from the day job by far more important things – love and sex – and the usual tragic consequences follow. For both of them.

In this remix of the ancient tale, we are transported into stuffy 1960s Britain. The Beatles have not even released ‘From Me To You’, but scandals involving hot sex and the Cold War are all the rage. So the Profumo affair – and ‘affair’ it is – rocks a Conservative government.

The roles of Cleopatra and Mark Antony are transposed in this play onto the lives of Christine Keeler and John Profumo. Of course, in reality, Profumo was a low-ranking aristocrat in his mid 50s who, in today’s cabinet, would be the Conservative Defence Minister. Keeler was a 19-year-old working class women with no qualifications who worked in shops and bars. Today, she would be surfing the gig economy as a trainee barista. This was a match made in hell – particularly for her.

The story, elegantly reconstructed by Luke Ofield and Pip O’Neill, wisely refuses to be overly faithful to the Shakespeare original. But there are plenty of links between the Bard’s text and the 1960s scandal to make the comparison meaningful. It also feels contemporary: from antics in sleazy bars to bullying and lies in parliament, and cover-ups in the press. The playful juxtaposition of John Bercow’s voice, the current Speaker of the House, insisting on “Order! Order!” adds to the delight.

In places the script sounds overly dense and the diction too muted. However, the overall direction of travel is clear. Indeed, excellent stage craft – with entrances and exits from all corners, cabaret songs, superb lighting and a press mob from hell – keeps the full house enticed.

Rialto Theatre, Wednesday 9th May 2018
Returns 17th – 20th May

Brighton Fringe
May 15, 2018
Email
Mike Aiken
Mike lives in Brighton. This is a full time occupation. He's also a researcher, writer and activist. Any time left over he spends hanging around cafes and pubs listening to people on their phones. He loves theatre that pokes into difficult places. You won't find him on Facebook.
← PREVIOUS POST
Brighton Festival Review: Amanda Palmer
NEXT POST →
Brighton Fringe Review: Brawn
Mailing List

Recent Posts
  • Brighton Psych Fest 2025 Review
    Sep 26, 2025

    The second Brighton Psych Fest was a beauty as we got down with Getdown Services as the evening sunlight glowed through the Concorde Stained Glass.

  • David Devant & His Spirit Wife, Friday 12th December
    Sep 23, 2025

    One of Brighton's greatest live bands returns for a pre-Xmas homecoming party.

  • Nick Cave To Play Exclusive Brighton Show Next Summer
    Sep 15, 2025

    Nick Cave returns to Brighton next Summer for an exclusive show with The Bad Seeds in Preston Park.

  • Death Comes to Pemberley Review
    Sep 3, 2025

    Set six years after the marriage of Elizabeth to Mr Darcy, a murder on their estate takes this story into thriller territory.

  • The Lightning Thief Review
    Sep 1, 2025

    A high octane modern musical coming of age adventure about demi-god teens, complete with committed performances, stunning voices, and brilliantly inventive staging.

  • Betty Boo, Sunday 23rd November
    Sep 1, 2025

    The legendary Betty Boo is going on her first ever solo UK tour and you can catch her at The Green Door Store in November.

  • Mutations Festival 2025 Line Up Announcement
    Aug 28, 2025

    FORM are treating us to a Bonfire Weekend full of warm goodness, bangers and fireworks!

  • Pride And Prejudice Review
    Aug 27, 2025

    A beautifully realised adaptation of one of Jane Austen’s best loved books: giving us a grounded, real and hilarious retelling in perfect balance.

Website developed in Brighton by Infobo
Copyright © Brighton Source 2009-2023
Brighton Fringe Review: Antony And Cleopatra - Brighton Source