Robert Chevara directs a timely adaptation of Shakespeare’s epic love story, Antony and Cleopatra. This radical, queer re-staging of the classic with a small, all gay male cast, placing in sharp relief the relationship of our two protagonists.
A site-specific performance in the basement club of The Divine. The explosive relationship between these lovers takes place in the confines of a nightclub where the passionate love tug-of-war plays out upon a backdrop of neon lights, pounding techno, karaoke musical breaks and psychedelic drugs. Dizzying and electrifying – always with Shakespeare’s unmatched poetic verse at its heart.
What can you tell me about the show and what you are bringing to it?
It's a radical queer take on a Shakespearean masterpiece envisaged by our wonderful director Robert Chevara. The poetic language is set against the backdrop of a Berlin-style nightclub and in the intimate space of my venue, The Divine, the action happens literally a few feet away from the audience. Robert has edited it down so the action centers, almost solely on the two titular characters played by myself and the marvellous William McGeough with Alexis Gregory playing Cleopatra's closest companion, Charmian, and Jonathan Blake playing a messenger from Rome. It's very contemporary with drugs being consumed; unexpected karoke moments and some very intense scenes by the two lovers. Personally, I hope I bring a sense of duality to Cleopatra; the make and the female in the role. None of us are in drag but playing across gender as Shakespeare wrote.
What do you think Shakespeare’s play and your own adaption say to an 2024 audience member?
The language is timeless. The poetry resonates with all audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Who hasn't fallen in and out of love? It's heightened and the emotions are extreme almost like they are when people are high on drugs - so if you've experienced the night life in altered states you'll understand the range of emotions both Cleopatra and Antony put themselves through. It's a tragic love story in essence fuelled their own egos.
You and director Robert Chevara have worked together previously, has that helped when developing this piece?
I love Robert's directorial style. It's quick and dramatic so I know what to expect in the rehearsal room and Robert knows how to coax out of me the right emotions or push me further to explore Cleopatra's range of expression. We also workshopped the piece in my previous venue The Glory so as a producer I know what is the framework for the show and what my new venue The Divine can offer the work to make this premiere a truly unique experience.
How have you gone about developing your own take on Cleopatra?
For me most of the work happens in the rehearsal room. The text is alive and visceral and the language is the inspiration guided by the director. Our Cleopatra is a queen of the night-clubs if you like and with Antony they push themselves to the limits. In terms of experience I've been that person. I've literally pushed my body to the brink of death; I've stayed out for days on end; I've questioned my sanity. I know what an ego out of control looks like on drugs; so in a way I understand what she's going through. Also the photo shoots with Will (Antony) have been really helpful in playing with and aesthetic and exploring the dynamism with her lover. She can be a leatherman one minute and a sexy siren in heels and a thing the next. I don't see her as a non-binary character but one who oscillates between the two in her style and in her relationships. A bit like me I suppose.
It's a club and it's small so in a way it's 'in yer face' Shakespeare. The space is intense and we have a small but great lighting rig designed for cabaret, theatre and clubs so we should be able to take this Shakespearean drama literally to the heart of clubland. Also, it's genuinely a queer space. I see lots of 'queer' takes on classic texts in traditional theatrical institutions which is amazing; but there is something special about seeing radical work in grassroots radical venues where the people there shared the lived experience of the characters onstage. It's thrilling.
Where did your arts career begin and how do you reflect on your career to date?
I've always performed, like most performers. From shows for grandparents, through school and university to a professional training , which for me was in dance. My true inspiration came in New York in the early 00's when I experienced the Downtown performance art, drag and burlesque scene and discovered that performance really can be what you want it to be, and I returned to London with this in my mind and set about making work and creating environments inspired by my time there.
What keeps you inspired?
I keep changing what I do. One moment I'm a drag queen, the next an actor, then a writer, then a gogo dancer and then a producer. I get bored very easily. Also I like to be a provocateur. I've learnt also I'm not drawn so much to the mainstream as an artist. I was once seduced by the idea of fame but really I like to do things my way and find the radical and underground far more exciting.
Antony and Cleopatra: A Dream or Passion runs at The Divine in London from Thursday 12th September until Friday 27th September 2024. Tickets are available from https://thedivine.co.uk/event/antcleo26/#:~:text=A%20site%2Dspecific%20performance%20in,musical%20breaks%20and%20psychedelic%20drugs.
Post a Comment