Stratford’s Antony And Cleopatra: The Whole is Lesser Than The Parts.
Yanna McIntosh as Cleopatra, Geraint Wyn Davies as Antony. Photo David Hou.
STRATFORD — There’s no denying the memorable moments in the Stratford Festival’s new production of Antony And Cleopatra.
For example — the ferocious outburst of sexual rage from Yanna McIntosh’s Cleopatra when she learns that Antony, the love of her life, has married someone else. Director Gary Griffin shows a keen sense of dramatic timing here, extracting a mounting tension from the scene before Cleopatra explodes into fury.
That sequence is splendidly theatrical. But, in contrast, we also get displays of tender intimacy. A lovely scene where McIntosh helps the aging and weary Antony of Geraint Wyn Davies into his armour has an easy familiarity about it: these are two lovers who know each other well, who are comfortable with each other, who respond to each other naturally.