The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra
at Lake Braddock Secondary School

Reviewed on May 3, 2014

Stuart Pratuch
West Springfield HS
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

A rolling fear permeates the air as ancient royals conflict. The uncertain turmoil is only heightened by the tale of the world's most passionate lovers. Lake Braddock Secondary School triumphantly thrilled its audience with The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra.

William Shakespeare recollected the famous tale in 1607. Taken from translations of the Greek historian, Plutarch, the complexity of the characters have been debated for centuries among literary critics and historians. This monstrous production is also known for having the largest cast of any Shakespeare play. While riddled with historical inaccuracies, this spectacular show (obviously) follows Marcus Antonius and Cleopatra VII as they strive to overturn the Classical elite with their forbidden love affair.

Undoubtedly, the titular characters were the powerhouse of the show. Marc Antony, as portrayed by Nick Edwards, thundered across the stage with virility, determined to refute any destiny that did not go according to his plan. His ardent affair with the jewel of Egypt, Cleopatra VII (Anna Coughlan), reflected stunning character development. Meanwhile, Cleopatra herself performed superbly in the most intense moments of her lamentable finale, cultivating the role as one mixed between seductive siren and manipulative diplomat. Then, her dutiful, spunky servant, Charmian (Ali Rocha), ultimately met a very realistic and somber demise in the final minutes of the show. As Marissa Chaffee donned the role of the ominous soothsayer, her mysticism and entanglement with the plot forwarded the complicated eerie undertones of fate. Liam Finn's Enobarbus remained diligent and loyal to the very end while Octavius Caesar (Alex Laney) drew attention to his adamant policymaking as he destroyed those two plagues of Egypt.

Overall, the ensemble handled the daunting challenge with brave severity. Excellent stage combat in the military skirmishes realistically illustrated the entropy of the battlefield. While actors may have spoken at a faster rate with the older language, they definitely had a keen comprehension of what they spoke as observed through their easily understood actions. Solid projection occurred in a room without any personal mikes and every member of the ensemble was actively engaged in their performance. Some roles such as Idan Woodruff's Eros commanded the attention of the audience while the musician, Mardian (Ally Savage), stayed unbelievably in sync with the string music played during scenes.

The rich crimson and Tyrian purple hues of the lighting painted the bloody feuds of royalty while also subdividing the stage into multiple outlets to forward the plot. Also praiseworthy was the make up that varied from believable age make-up to grotesque bleeding whip marks that caused the audience to cringe as a whole. The props department took inspiration from Ancient Roman and Egyptian design while also incorporating often overlooked details such as sword marks left in shields. Even the set-up of the theater permitted scenes in the audience to distract from the lengthy set changes onstage. Finally, the sounds never faltered to deliver an effect, ranging from venomous asps to exotic chamber music.

As snakes slithered up the mindless queen and laid their poisonous concoctions in her neck, her majesty stumbles and collapses on the floor, ensuring her love and her rule will not shortly escape the chapters of history books. With its finale, Lake Braddock Secondary School conjured a lasting impression with its stellar production of The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra.

Joey Ledonio
Bishop Ireton High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

Love. Honor. Betrayal. An Egyptian queen, secret affairs, and bloodstained swordplay collide in Lake Braddock Secondary School's production of William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra.

Written by William Shakespeare in 1607, Antony and Cleopatra centers around an ancient Egyptian-Roman conflict while exploring themes of emotion, opposition, and power. An unorthodox choice for a high school play, Antony and Cleopatra contains one of Shakespeare's largest casts and showcases some of the Bard's most complicated characters.

The cast of characters at Lake Braddock presented the story of a Roman general and an Egyptian queen with vigor and dedication. While at times the plot seemed hard to follow, the actors onstage utilized superlative physicality and sincere facial expression to convey their meaning even when their lines could not.

As the eponymous couple, Nick Edwards as Antony and Anna Coughlan as Cleopatra exhibited excellent chemistry in every scene they shared. Coughlan presented one of Shakespeare's most complex female roles with ease, tactfully shifting between moments of violent mania and cloying affection. Possessing both a vice-like grip on the audience and a brimming amount of confidence, Coughlan held the audience's attention from her extravagant entrance to her tragic end. Edwards also delivered a solid performance that remained consistent throughout the evening, commanding his soldiers with authority and delivering his monologues with candor.

Though some actors struggled to find the meaning behind their Shakespearean verse, others rose above the challenge to fantastic effect. Marisa Chaffee embodied the role of the blind Soothsayer, prophesying the strange futures of others with poise and dexterity. Never once struggling with Shakespeare's difficult language, Chaffee truly shone in a role that required her to be both eerie and commanding while arresting the audience with a fittingly fluid voice and eyes as white as snow, realistically achieved through the use of colored contact lenses.

Another noteworthy aspect of the show was the group of soldiers who played various roles throughout the show. Exciting fight choreography remained safe while appearing believable. As a whole, the soldiers carried themselves with dignity and strength, controlling a collective synergy that allowed them to propel the story forward.

Technical elements successfully added to this production, transporting the audience to Rome, then Egypt, and back again. An outstanding lighting design by Kyle Dannahey proved to be a highlight of the show. The spot-on dimming of hanging lamps and the brisk splashing of bold, harsh yellows and cool, mellow blues on a large cyc greatly accented the show. Additionally, make-up by Victoria Benton shocked the audience with glossy, visceral scars and admirably applied prosthetic wounds, layering this performance even further. Sound, costumes, and props each effectively displayed the time period with impeccably timed music, impressive soldier uniforms, and actual foodstuffs for the actors to consume onstage.

Despite some moments of lower energy, the cast and crew at Lake Braddock successfully presented one of Shakespeare's more complicated works, leaving the audience with an indelible impression of The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra.

Callie Carlstrom
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to ShowBizRadio.net

Love, war, comedy, and tragedy are all brought to life in Lake Braddock's reputable production of "The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra".

Written by William Shakespeare, it was first performed in 1607 and some say that it was first printed in the First Folio of 1623. "The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra" takes places mainly in Rome and Egypt in 32- 30 BCE. The tragedy follows the relationship of Antony and Cleopatra from their struggles through love to ultimately their death.

Anna Coughlan who portrayed Cleopatra and Nick Edwards who played Antony lead the well-rounded cast. Coughlan conveyed her character mightily, bringing out the strong and powerful traits of Cleopatra. Coughlan and Edwards showed impressive chemistry as the two lovers and kept it believable throughout the duration of the production. Edwards embraced the powerful nature of Antony and used it to his advantage, bellowing out his lines in a clear and dictatorial manner.

Marissa Chaffee and Ali Rocha also gave very notable performances. Chaffee emulated the enigmatical Soothsayer wonderfully from her spooky disposition to her portrayal of a blind person. Rocha interpreted Chairman, Cleopatra's Handmaiden in a marvelous fashion. She flexibly switched from being comical to having a more somber tone in a smooth and realistic manner. Also, a noteworthy accomplishment from the whole cast was that they seemed to understand what they were saying. It was truly shown throughout their wonderful and energetic acting.

Not only was the cast admirable, but also the crew. They performed speedy scene changes, some even whilst the actors were on the apron. However, this took no attention away from the actors at all and made for a smooth running show. Even though the set was fairly minimalistic, it was quite functional. Extensions were connected to both sides of the stage to create different distinct locations. The actors also took advantage of the space they had incredibly, coming from the aisles and using the apron and steps as more locations for the production.

Another prominent enhancement to the actors was their makeup. The Egyptians had popping colors and dramatic eye makeup while the Romans had a more simple, clean cut look. The fake wounds were also very impressive, most remarkable being the whip wounds that were eerily real.

Ending with the tragic suicides of Antony and Cleopatra, the heart-wrenching tragedy pulled on the audiences heart strings. Lake Braddock's successful production left the audience yearning for more.

Abigail Giuseppe
Bishop Ireton High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - Fairfax

From the mysterious and romantic deserts of Egypt to the austere and powerful Roman Empire, Lake Braddock's production of William Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra took the audience around the world to experience one of history's greatest romances.

Classified as both a tragedy and a history, Antony and Cleopatra recounts the story of the affair between Marcus Antonius, the Triumvir of Rome, and Cleopatra VII, Queen of Egypt. It has changed in popularity over time, but still remains a classic piece that has been adapted several times for the stage, television, and film.

The story begins in Alexandria where Antony is living lavishly and engaging in an affair with Cleopatra when he hears about the death of his wife. Soon the three rulers of the Roman Empire begin to plan an attack in revenge, while in the meantime pirate leader Pompey is gaining more and more power. Soon war, death, and all manner of chaos breaks loose, changing the lives of the fated lovers forever.

Anna Coughlan as Cleopatra proved to be the driving force of the performance. Her vibrant physicality and regal air made her come across as true royalty while her fits of rage and insanity after Antony's death showed her diversity as a performer. Antony, played by Nick Edwards, played well off of Coughlan's performance, making the pair a dynamic couple that showed the passion between the two lovers.

Although occupying smaller roles, Liam Finn as the spirited Enobarbus and Marisa Chaffee as the mysterious Soothsayer added greatly to the performance as a whole. Finn perfectly displayed the lively nature of the loyal Enobarbus and added life and a touch of humor every time he walked onstage. Chaffee, on the other hand, perfectly reflected the eerie Soothsayer with her physicality and vocal performance that left audience members both frightened and intrigued.

As a whole the cast worked well together, especially during scenes with several people or when stage combat was taking place. The band of soldiers developed into a well-fashioned army throughout the show while Cleopatra's attendants shared in her sorrows and triumphs.

The true accomplishment of Antony and Cleopatra, however, lied in the technical aspects of the show. Kyle Dannahey's lighting design was masterful and vibrant, truly adding to the extravagance and majesty of the visual performance. A series of hanging lanterns onstage also added to the Egyptian motif of the show and made the lighting a focal point. Subtle sound effects added greatly to the mood of the show without detracting from the events transpiring onstage. Additionally, costumes and makeup were vibrant and colorful, making scenes truly pop and adding a touch of whimsy to the show. Makeup in particular was expertly done, especially with the use of prosthetic scars, which left the audience thoroughly grossed out in the best way.

As a whole, Lake Braddock's performance was visually intoxicating and left the audience wanting to travel back to the extravagance of the Egyptian and Roman Empires of old.

AnnaLin Woo
Bishop Ireton High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

"In time, we hate that which we often fear." Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra is known for its difficult monologues, length and intricacy, but Lake Braddock Secondary School performed it with admirable aplomb this past weekend.

Antony and Cleopatra is said to have been written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1603-1608. It is usually considered a tragedy, though it has also been called a romance or a history--in this it is difficult to tell, as Shakespeare did not have access to a lot of information and made quite a bit of it up. The play depicts the intertwined lives of Mark Antony and Cleopatra from the time of the Sicilian revolt led by Sextus Pompey against Rome until the final war of the Roman Republic, also known as the war between Antony and Octavius, the eventual first emperor.

Anna Coughlan gave a solid performance as Cleopatra, varying between hysterical jealousy and cunning planning. Her chemistry with Nick Edwards as Antony was good and fairly believable. Edwards was an authoritative Antony whose main strengths were in how he related to the other characters, frequently clashing with Octavius Caesar (Alex Laney) and displaying a calm assertiveness over his soldiers. The entire cast used the large space well, often moving through the aisles of the theatre or setting small scenes on opposite sides of the stage.

Supporting strengths of the show included Antony's fighters, the Egyptian soothsayer, and Cleopatra's handmaiden. Antony's fighters (Grove, Hammel, Edwards, Norkus, Pham, and Woodruff) were all soldierly in their actions and speech, and worked well as a group together, especially during the battle scenes. The soothsayer, played by Marissa Chaffee, gave a supernatural feel to the few scenes she was in, and the handmaiden Charmain (Ali Rocha) gave some comic relief to the heavy play with her quips and facial expressions.

The costumes of Antony and Cleopatra (Catherine Casino) were obviously well researched and painstakingly created, down to the last detail. The rich colors and draped fabrics were brought out against the austere set (Tonia Tempesta), with everything topped off by traditionally Egyptian makeup by Victoria Benton. The lighting scheme, though often jarringly bright when moving from one scene to the next, was well thought out with interesting colors.

Lake Braddock's theatre department took a risk in taking on such an involved play, but they pulled it off with a solid performance.

Maddy DeFreece
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

First performed in 1607, William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra follows the relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Antony from the time of the Sicilian revolt to Cleopatra's suicide during the Final War of the Roman Republic. The play is set in Egypt and Rome, and carefully takes into account cultural differences (i.e. makeup, facial hair, etc.) and, this weekend, Lake Braddock Secondary School performed The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra.

Anna Coughlan and Nick Edwards, who played the roles of Cleopatra and Antony had impeccable chemistry as they depicted the historical love affair. The pair conveyed both frustration and genuine love for one another as the play progressed, allowing the audience to feel sorrow in the scenes of their deaths. The couple succeeded in accurately illustrating the tragic romance between the illustrious historical figures.

Liam Finn shone brilliantly in his role as Enobarbus. From his first entrance to his characters tragic death, he gave an exceptional performance as Antony's disloyal lieutenant. Finn performed exceptionally well in Enobarbus's death. He spoke with anger and remorse as he demonstrated utter defeat both physically and emotionally.

Marisa Chaffe played the role of the haunting, blind Soothsayer. In her portrayal of the daunting fortune teller, Chaffe delivered each line with a low, eerie tone sending chills up and down the spines of audience members. Her portrayal as a blind, old woman was even more convincing as she used her staff to feel her way on and off stage and refused eye contact with other actors.

Proving to be a notable cast member, Breese Sherman played the role of the Third Messenger. In every scene, Sherman spoke with power and assurance as he delivered news and walked with diligence. Running around and curling up into a ball as he dodged the wrath of Cleopatra after he delivers distasteful news, Sherman provided comic relief from the dark ambiance of the play.

The makeup in the production was of professional quality. From old age lines to wounds, Victoria Benton and her team of makeup artists paid incredibly close attention to detail. The eye makeup specific to each individual character was a fascinating element. However, the most impressive piece was certainly the enormous whipping wound crafted on the back of one of the messengers. The mold of the wound was gruesomely accurate and the illusion of fresh blood on the injury was horrifically authentic.

The production was outstanding, shining in especially the technical elements. The set featured beautiful suspending lanterns in front of the cyclorama which also featured a variety of lighting choices specific to the mood (Kyle Dannahey). The set was minimal yet functional allowing set changes to be quiet and hardly noticeable (Andie Powers).

Overall, Lake Braddock succeeded in telling the tale of The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra.

Elinor Curry
Paul VI Catholic High School
Submitted for publication to Bare Facts

Most know the story of Romeo and Juliet: two kids meet one night and fall for each other and, over the course of a few days, six people, including them, are dead. But there is another, less well-known Shakespeare play, in which two lovers both commit suicide: The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra. Lake Braddock Secondary School presented this show the first weekend of May with bright costumes, impressive prosthetics, and a talented cast that conveyed the meaning of the difficult Shakespearean script.

One of the biggest pulls of the show were its impressive technical aspects. The costumes were eye catching, especially Cleopatra's sparkling robes and the bright colors of the other costumes. The makeup was also very impressive, most notably the whip mark prosthetic and the Soothsayer's "blind" contacts. The makeup crew also did an excellent job with old age makeup. Of course, without the impressive lighting neither of those aspects would have been seen. The colors the lighting crew enhanced the feeling of being in different places, and the lighting was also very good at lighting the different stage areas, while keeping the rest of the stage black. Sound cues were incredibly precise, noticed especially with the Eunuch's harp-like instrument.

Without the actors, however, there would be no show. Although across the board the actors were talented, the most notable actors were Anna Coughlan (Cleopatra), Liam Finn (Enobarbus), Ali Rocha (Charmian), and Marissa Chaffee (Soothsayer). Coughlan was always totally involved in her scenes, invested physically, emotionally, and mentally, with clear relationships with the people around her. Rocha, playing one of her handmaidens, was also consistently involved in what was going on onstage. Her line delivery was clear and showed evidence of understanding, and her expressive face helped to convey meaning to the audience. Finn, a standout physically with his height and confident stance, was one of the best of the night in regards of understanding. His diction and pacing in his lines was excellent, and throughout the show the audience could clearly understand him and his meaning. His suicide scene wrenched at the hearts of the audience as they understood the pain in him. Chaffee's lines had the same excellent delivery, and she dealt with her blindness very well and was appropriately mysterious and spooky.

Overall, the show was engaging to watch and the actors easy to understand. The show was enjoyable in a rather sick way; it is a tragedy, after all. The cast and crew worked hard and deserved every bit of applause the audience lauded them with.