Antony and Cleopatra

Antony and Cleopatra

Hudson Shakespeare

Company

By William Shakespeare

Directed by John Trigonis

Fight Choreography by John Trigonis

The second showing of the 2005 summer season presented a story from antiquity but with a futuristic twist. Shakespeare tale of self obsessed, middle aged lovers that decide that fate of the Roman empire was given a science fiction bent. In delving into lesser known shows, we tried to impress a sense of grandeur and also over the top and campy qualities that both historical figures had with elements of Star Trek and Forbidden Planet. Set some years after the events of Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, has emerged victorius in the civil wars and now rules over half of the empire while Caesar's adopted son Octavius controls the other half. However Antony, has left his wife, shacked up with Caesar's former mistress Cleopatra, has let his civic responsibilites fall to ruin and has become an embarrassment the rulers back in Rome. Cleopatra, while satisfied with their overly sexual escapades, longs for more legitimacy in her union with Antony and fancies herself as capable a warrior as he being the descendent of conquering generals. When Antony's wife dies unexpectedly and he is summoned back to Rome, Cleopatra sees this as her opportunity only to become his wife and full partner is instead disrepected by Antony who only looks out for himself. As challenges both personal and political stress the lovers, national fate of galactic proportions hangs on their heads.

To view other Antony and Cleopatra production pictures click here

Click on the links below to view Antony and Cleopatra

Articles and Photo Layouts

"Antony and Cleopatra" - Hudson Reporter Article

"Antony and Cleopatra" - Suburban News Photo Layout

"Antony and Cleopatra" - Cranford Chronicle Photo Layout

Performance Dates

Sunday, June 19 - Ercel Webb Park, Jersey City, NJ 2PM

Monday, June 20 - Pier A Park, Hoboken, NJ 7PM

Wednesday, June 22 - Hamilton Park, Jersey City, NJ 7PM

Thursday, June 23 - Ellsworth Park, Union City, NJ 8PM

Friday, June 24 Rain Date for Ellsworth Park

Saturday, June 25 - Stratford City Hall, Stratford, CT 1PM

Sunday, June 26 - Kenilworth Borough Hall, Kenilworth, NJ 3PM

Monday, June 27 - Shipyard Park, Hoboken, NJ 7PM

Tuesday, June 28 - Meadowland Park, South Orange, NJ 7:30PM

Tuesday, July 5 - Sinatra Park, Hoboken, NJ 7PM

Wednesday, July 6 - Hackensack Town Green, Hackensack, NJ

Friday, July 8 - Van Vorst Park, Jersey City, NJ 7PM

Cast

Shalin Agarwal

Octavius Caesar

Ira Bitner

Marc Antony

Norell Hall

Cleopatra

Guy Fenkel

Soothsayer/Messenger

/Lepidus

Laurence Cantor

Conidius/Ambassador

Pompey, Thedius, Taurus,

Second Solider, Proculeius

Sam Rolen

Enobarbus

Rachael Jones

Agrippa/Phila

/First Solider/Country

Sarah Yahr Tucker

Eros/Mecaenna

Kathleen Schlemmer

Charmian

Laura Ionato

Octavia/Alexis/Diomeda

To view other Antony and Cleopatra production pictures click here

To see other 2005 Show Pages: Love Letters, Waiting for Godot, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet. Antony and Cleopatra, Sweet Love, Adieu, Richard III, Love's Labours Lost, The Sword Politik, Gerswhin in Love, Macbeth

To view past seasons click on the "Past Productions" tab on the left hand menu

At the beginning of the play, Cleopatra (Norelle Hall) and Antony (Ira Bitner) spend their days enthralled in each others sexual company and worry about little else as Cleopatra's attendent Charmian (Kathleen Schlemmer) waits to their every need. Sinatra Park, Hoboken, NJ

A holy messenger (Guy Fenkel) brings Antony (Ira Bitner) word that his wife and brother-in-law tried unsuccessfully to fight Octavius and that territory won by him in the wars have been lost. He chastises himself for being so absent minded to allow this to happen. The messenger also informs him that his wife has now died.

Stratford City Hall, Stratford, CT

Enobarbus (Sam Rolen), Antony's (Ira Bitner) fiesty and opinionated lieutenant, is summoned and informed of the news from Rome. He quips sarcastically at Antony's romps with Cleopatra. Antony, angered further, orders an immediate return to Rome. Kenilworth Borough Hall, Kenilworth, NJ

Octavius (Shalin Agarwal), disgusted at the philandering ways of Antony, reluntantly shows up at a meeting with him to discuss a significant rebellion by Pompey, the son of his father's enemy. Stratford City Hall, Stratford, CT

Antony (Ira Bitner) makes peace with Octavius (Shalin Argawal) to meet their common enemy Pompey and as a gesture of good faith marries his sister Octavia (Laura Ionato). Sinatra Park, Hoboken, NJ

Cleopatra (Norelle Hall) confesses to her waiting woman Charmian (Kathleen Schlemmer) that she fears Antony is slipping away from her.

Pier A Park, Hoboken, NJ

Enobarbus (Sam Rolen) and Octavius (Shalin Argawal) take guard against the approach of their enemy Pompey (Laurence Cantor). The groups eventually make an eas truce and Antony's thoughts turn back to Cleopatra. Pier A Park, Hoboken, NJ

After a disaterous sea battle between Antony and Octavius in which Cleopatra believes feels culpability for the loss, Cleopatra (Norelle Hall) is visited by Thidias (Laurence Cantor), an ambassador of Octavius. Thidias hoping to drive a wedge between the queen and Antony by promising her continued rule over Egypt. Above, he implores her to accept Octavius generous offer and she accepts, foresaking Antony. Pier A Park, Hoboken, NJ

After more losses and Antony's rage at her betrayal, Cleopatra (Norelle Hall) fakes her death to illcit sympathy from Antony (Ira Bitner). He instead decides to kill himself. Above the lovers share a last moment together. Sinatra Park, Hoboken, NJ

Grieving fer the loss of her lover, fearing Octavius (Shalin Argawal) not being true to his word and living the rest of her life as a slave. Cleopatra (Norelle Hall) takes her own life along with her servants. Sinatra Park, Hoboken, NJ