REVIEW: Genesius Guild ‘Antony and Cleopatra’ a Royal Pleasure
Despite the usual challenges of actors being heard without amplification outdoors, Genesius Guild does an admirable job in presenting the powerful, beguiling Shakespeare tragedy Antony & Cleopatra, with especially strong performances by its titular characters.
Antony & Cleopatra is the sequel to last year’s Genesius Guild production of Julius Caesar. The show tells the story of Mark Antony (portrayed by Justin Raver) – who lived from 83 BC to 30 BC, a supporter of Julius Caesar and one of the leaders of Rome following Caesar’s assassination — and his ill-fated romance with the Egyptian queen Cleopatra (Irene Herzig). This romance distracts Antony from his duties to Rome, creating tension with the other Roman leadership, particularly with the show’s main protagonist Octavius Caesar (Joe Sager).
The play is perhaps best known for the character of Cleopatra, who is written as one of Shakespeare’s most complex characters. She carries herself with imposing grandeur, frequently gives in to moments of incredible vanity, and at the same time is a charismatic, powerful leader.
Irene Herzig as Cleopatra comforts a wounded Mark Antony (Justin Raver).
Herzig (who I had never seen perform before) is a stunning revelation, confidently carrying herself with a fittingly regal, haughty presence. Her hypnotic Cleopatra is alternately full of herself, dominating, terrifying, seductive, tender, and shattered by the tragedy’s conclusion.
Raver is her dramatic equal, though he begins as more demure, accommodating, civilized and mild-mannered. Mark Antony is one of the triumvirs of the Roman Republic, along with Octavius and Lepidus, who has neglected his soldierly duties after being beguiled by Cleopatra, according to a synopsis.
Octavius calls Antony back to Rome from Alexandria to help him fight against Sextus Pompey, Menecrates, and Menas, three notorious pirates of the Mediterranean. At Alexandria, Cleopatra begs Antony not to go, and though he repeatedly affirms his deep passionate love for her, he eventually leaves.
Octavius’ general, Agrippa, suggests that Antony should marry Octavius’s sister, Octavia (Jesslyn Cohen), in order to cement the friendly bond between the two men. Antony accepts. Antony’s lieutenant Enobarbus (a fervent, enthusiastic Mattie Gelaude), though, knows that Octavia can never satisfy him after Cleopatra. In a famous passage, he describes Cleopatra’s charms: “Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale / Her infinite variety: other women cloy / The appetites they feed, but she makes hungry / Where most she satisfies.”
The play becomes quite soap opera-like when Cleopatra asks about Octavia’s looks and height, and a rivalry is erected between the women, as the off-stage war battles are accompanied by on-stage dueling for Antony’s heart.
A Cornell College alum, who has appeared in Genesius Guild’s “Coriolanus,” “Twelfth Night” and “The Merchant of Venice,” Irene Herzig co-stars as the queen of Egypt in “Antony and Cleopatra,” at Rock Island’s Lincoln Park.
In Egypt, Cleopatra learns of Antony’s marriage to Octavia and takes furious revenge upon the messenger who brings her the news. Antony accuses Octavius of not giving him his fair share of Sextus’ lands, and is angry that Lepidus, whom Octavius has imprisoned, is out of the triumvirate.
Early in the second act, there is an intoxicating, wordless ensemble dance with blue fans (and background music), whose meaning escaped me. Octavius sends a messenger to ask Cleopatra to give up Antony and come over to his side. She hesitates, and flirts with the messenger, when Antony walks in and angrily denounces her behavior. Raver is strong and menacing as he sends the messenger to be whipped. Eventually, he forgives Cleopatra and pledges to fight another battle for her.
Antony loses the battle as his troops desert en masse and he denounces Cleopatra. He throws her angrily to the ground, very intimidating and wrathful, but eventually their tempestuous relationship leads to another passionate kiss. Antony is hailed as a “man of steel,” which I thought very appropriate on the opening weekend of the new “Superman” film.
In a confusing turn of events, Cleopatra decides that the only way to win back Antony’s love is to send him word that she killed herself, dying with his name on her lips. Her plan backfires: rather than rushing back in remorse to see the “dead” Cleopatra, Antony decides that his own life is no longer worth living.
In a shockingly dramatic scene, Antony asks one of his aides, Eros (Kate Almquist), to run him through with a sword, but Eros cannot bear to do it and kills himself. Antony admires Eros’ courage and attempts to do the same, but only succeeds in wounding himself. In great pain, he learns that Cleopatra is indeed alive. He is brought to her and dies in her arms. Things get even worse for Cleopatra from there, and Herzig is intense and mournful.
The quite solid Genesius cast includes Jacob Lund as Alexas, Andrew Bruning as Agrippa, Kate Farence as Maecenas, Stephanie Burrough as Pompey, Avalon Willowbloom as Menas, L.C. Kent as Dolabella, and Pam Cantrell as Diomedes.
The show (directed by Alaina Pascarella) is hindered at times because of occasional lack of proper projection by actors (who don’t wear body mics) to be heard over the variety of outdoor noises in the park, such as motorcycles, lawn mowers, truck beeping and birds.
“Antony and Cleopatra” will continue this Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. at Lincoln Park’s Don Wooten stage, 1120 40th St., Rock Island. Admission for the show is free. For more information about the Guild, visit www.genesius.org.
An angry Cleopatra (Irene Herzig) pulls on the hair of Diomedes (Pam Cantrell).
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