|
Andrew Long (Mark Antony) and Aubrey K. Deeker (Octavius Caesar) bring Shakespeare's 'Antony and Cleopatra' to D.C.
Carol Pratt.
|
WITH SHAKESPEARE HISTORY IS ALIVE
A fantastic "Julius Caesar" and good "Antony and Cleopatra" run in repertory at the Shakespeare Theatre Company's Sidney Harman Hall
Date published: 6/12/2008
By LUCIA ANDERSON
FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR
WASHINGTON --So, was Brutus really motivated by a desire to save the republic, or did he secretly share Cassius's envy of the great Julius? And could Cleopatra's allure totally account for Antony's plunge from masterful soldier to dissolute hedonist?
"The fault, dear Brutus, lies not in our stars, but in ourselves " says Cassius. And Shakespeare lays that out clearly in both "Julius Caesar" and "Antony and Cleopatra," currently playing in repertory at The Shakespeare Theatre's Harman Hall.
It's fun to see the two plays together, since "Antony" takes up the history where "Julius" leaves off.
High school English and history classes have made the plot points of the two plays familiar to most--fear of Caesar's growing power; his assassination; the subsequent defeat of the plotters at the hand of Mark Antony and young Octavius; division of the known world among the triumvirate of Antony, Octavius and Lepidus, with Egypt falling to Antony and Rome to Octavius; Antony's dissolution and Octavius's ascendency; Octavius's consolidation of power as Rome's first emperor.
Of the two plays, "Julius" is clearly the tauter drama. The tragedy rolls unrelentingly to its end, then stops. "Antony," on the other hand, stays too long, with too many declamatory "farewell" speeches. But both are interesting explorations of character and motivation.
Under David Muse's direction "Julius" moves cleanly and forcefully. Artistic director Michael Kahn deals competently with "Antony's" complexities.
Brutus is clearly the central character in "Julius," and Tom Hammond does a splendid job with the role. His portrayal of the tortured idealist doomed by rash action to ignominious defeat captures the spotlight and holds it.
Andrew Long also is impressive as Mark Antony defending Caesar. His continuation of the role in "Antony" is disappointing. Yes, Antony has become an undisciplined pleasure seeker, but Long overplays the character's loutishness, blunting the tragedy of his fall.
This play belongs to Suzanne Bertish, whose Cleopatra steals the show. Bertish effectively mines the rich comic vein that Shakespeare made available to the Egyptian queen, evoking laughter in her scorn for Roman honor and discipline. Her every word and gesture bring the character to vivid life.
Other cast members of note include Dan Kremer as the self-important Caesar, and Aubrey K. Deeker, who plays the young Octavius in both productions.
Set designer James Noone has constructed a classical, multilevel set that works well for both plays. Jennifer Moeller's Roman-era costumes reach their apogee in Cleopatra's gorgeous vestments.
Both plays are well worth the price of admission--but if you can manage only one, I'd recommend "Julius" over "Antony." If you're able to manage both, see "Julius" first.
Lucia Anderson is a freelance writer living in Woodbridge.
| What: "Julius Caesar" and "Antony and Cleopatra," running in repertory
Where: The Shakespeare Theatre Company's Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. N.W., Washington
When: Through July 6
Tickets: $23.50-$79.75
Info: 202/547-1122; shakespearetheatre.org |
|
Date published: 6/12/2008
|
Star Directory
