Picture from bbc.co.uk
Originally published by L.S. Media.
Cast: Kim Cattrall, Jeffrey Kissoon, Ian Hogg, Martin Hutson, Martin Herdman, Aicho Kossoko, Gracy Goldman, Muzz Khan, Offue Okegbe, Bhasker Patel, Simon Manyonda, Mark Sutherland, Alex Blake, Robert Orme, Ross Armstrong, Mark Gillis.
If ever there was a title contender for most eagerly awaited play to hit Liverpool, then surely Janet Suzman’s directorial adaption of William Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra would sweep everything else aside.
At one point the casting of the play was one of the worst kept secrets in Liverpool and no matter what certain critics or possible attendees may have thought of Kim Cattrall swopping the small screen for a life as one of Shakespeare’s most talked heroines, within minutes she was proving any doubters wrong as she blurred the boundaries between passionate seductress and conniving, ruthless and sexual Queen perfectly.
Ms. Cattrall was joined on stage by Jeffrey Kissoon as the fallen, lovelorn General, Mark Antony. The dynamic between the two actors was nothing short of breathtaking and had the audience gripped as their seething passion threatened to embrace all.
Alongside the two main lead actors was the wonderful Ian Hogg as Enobarbus and a stunning reading of Octavius Caesar by Martin Hutson. Both these gentleman added to the experience and in Martin Hutson case, almost stole the show as the future leader of the Roman Empire.
As with any play by William Shakespeare it is the little touches and humanity that make the play worth seeing, in this situation the staging was effective and superbly laid out as the sparseness meant that the audience focused completely on the dramatic reference points.
Janet Suzman’s legacy as one of the bright actors of her generation is secure, as is her career as a director. To cope with the demands of a strong, forceful cast that includes a television favourite and one of the true legends of the R.S.C is nothing short of remarkable and Ms. Suzman ought to have every plaudit and adoration that it is possible to receive.
Even though the play itself is only playing at the Liverpool Playhouse till the 13th November it will surely further cement Liverpool’s ever growing reputation as one of the true homes of innovative, thought provoking and first class theatre.
Ian D. Hall