Saw 'Caesar and Cleopatra' for three things in particular. One being that it was from Stratford Festival, which immediately piqued my interest due to liking their Shakesperean work a lot. Two being that George Bernard Shaw's play is very fascinating, cleverly written and insightful. Three being for the late immensely talented Christopher Plummer, actually watched it in his memory after hearing great things about this production. Not to mention seeing an older Caesar.
This 'Caesar and Cleopatra' was a very high quality and very interesting production, enlivened by the performances, the chemistry between the two titular characters and and the drama. As well as Shaw's biting writing. While not everything works, a vast majority of it does and at its best brilliantly. If asked whether 'Caesar and Cleopatra' is recommended, my answer would be a very easy yes. Those familiar with the source material will enjoy it and the production does do well with making it accessible for first time viewers.
'Caesar and Cleopatra' isn't perfect, with agreed the intermission being unnecessary and Paul Dunn's Ptolemy being on the bland and too foolish side.
However, so much is absolutely great. Plummer gives a bravura performance as an older Caesar, what a powerful noble stage presence he had and his Shakespearean-like line delivery captivated. Nikki M James is a sensual Cleopatra that is full of passion, personally don't think she overdid it and it is an easy role to overdo. The chemistry between the two was passionately tense and affecting. Peter Donaldson's Rufio was beautifully subtle. Only Dunn disappoints. Regardless of whether Shaw's point is not easy to understand on first glance, his writing is clever and sharp. The comedy genuinely amuses and isn't overdone and the more dramatic moments are moving.
Also the political tensions are relevant today and strong in the tension department. The staging is intelligently done and done in good taste and in a way that is not hard to follow, there is also a live theatre production feel while being opened up enough to avoid being static or stagy. The character interaction is beautifully detailed and isn't simplistic. The production values are easy on the eye and never come over as distasteful or irrelevant, the time and place doesn't confuse either. It's intimately but also expansively photographed and the ambience has an authenticity to it, which is something that has always been striking with filmed Stratford productions.
Overall, very impressive. 8/10.
