In 1607, William Shakespeare produced the play Antony and Cleopatra based on Plutarch’s Lives.  Of the Bard’s plays, it is one that comfortably falls into three categories in his catalog – history, tragedy, and romance.  In no way derivative, it does build on two earlier works, although it hasn’t attained the reverence of the other two.

As a history, it is a sequel to Julius Caesar with its strongest link being Mark Antony who defeated the conspiratorial murderers of Julius Caesar.  Now, Antony is the triumvir for Africa in the Second Triumvirate that rules the three parts of the Roman Empire.  As a romantic tragedy, it follows in the footsteps of Romeo and Juliet in that both lovers in both plays commit suicide.  In each case, one self-destruction occurs based on the false belief that the person’s lover is dead (Incidentally, spoilers don’t count in Shakespeare plays).

But not only does Antony and Cleopatra stand on its own as a solid piece of stagecraft, it offers a rarity in the Shakespeare canon, a heroine that exercises agency and even commands an empire.  Yet, Shakespearean misogyny or at least condescension toward females prevails, best articulated by Antony’s General Enobarbus.   Even in his admiration of Cleopatra, it is not for her accomplishments but her allure, and he otherwise dismisses women in various ways.

San Francisco Shakespeare Festival takes on this notable work and presents it at two outdoor venues in the South Bay / Peninsula as well as one in San Francisco itself.  Shakespeare’s works are produced so often that many companies can’t resist tampering with the play’s packaging.   In this case, Director Katja Rivera was obligated to trim the play to a run time of 90 minutes, which offers the advantages of attracting a more attention-span-challenged audience; avoids the need for an intermission; and more reliably allows completion before darkness at outdoor venues.  The cost is that the narrative becomes bumpy and jumpy with frequent changes of venue and loss of continuity…..

Per agreement with Talkin’ Broadway, my complete reviews of South Bay and Peninsula theater for the remainder of the year, will appear in full on its site. Please continue at San Jose/Silicon Valley – “Antony and Cleopatra” – 8/5/26 .