In 2013, our former International Playwright in Residence Tarell Alvin McCraney created a stripped down, radical new version of Shakespeare's gripping story of romance set against a world of imperial politics and power play and transports us to 18th century, sun-soaked Saint-Domingue on the eve of revolution.

At the fringes of a war torn empire a man and woman have fallen desperately, passionately in love. But for a soldier sent to enforce the imperial will and the queen of a people intent on throwing off the yoke of empire, there is no place for personal desire.

Antony and Cleopatra are born to lead, to bend the world to their will and their every action has consequences for the thousands of people caught within the orbit of their influence.

Following its performances in the Swan Theatre in the winter of 2013, Antony and Cleopatra played Miami's Colony Theatre and The Public Theater, New York in early 2014.

This production was a Royal Shakespeare Company co-production with The Public Theater, New York and GableStage, Miami.

Cast and Creatives

UK cast

Jonathan Cake - Mark Antony
Chukwudi Iwuji - Enobarbus
Samuel Collings - Octavius
Ash Hunter - Pompey/Alexas/Scarus
Sarah Niles - Charmian/Menas

US cast*

Charise Castro-Smith - Octavia, Iras
Joaquina Kalukango - Cleopatra
Ian Lassiter - Agrippa, Thyreus
Chivas Michael - Mardian, Eros, Soothsayer
Henry Stram - Lepidus, Proculeius

Creatives

Tarell Alvin McCraney - Director
Tom Piper - Designer
Stephen Strawbridge - Lighting Designer
Michael Thurber - Composer
Gelan Lambert - Movement Director

*These actors are appearing with the permission of UK Equity, incorporating the Variety Artistes' Federation, pursuant to an exchange programme between American Equity and UK Equity