History’s most powerful love story—reimagined
When: 11–22 Feb 2025.
Come You Spirits Theatre Company opens its 2025 season with an immersive take on Antony & Cleopatra, bringing Shakespeare’s tale of power and passion to the Chatswood Concourse Lounge.
This story endures because it is more than just the romance between a Roman triumvir and an Egyptian queen—it is a battle for power, a clash of empires, and a testament to the forces that drive ambition and betrayal. This collision of love and power has not only shaped history but also Shakespeare’s text, deepening our understanding of desire, loyalty, and downfall.
Come You Spirits’ avoids a traditional Shakespearean interpretation and instead delivers Antony & Cleopatra in a stripped-back impressionistic style. The prioritisation of atmosphere over text unfortunately results in the epic themes of this play being lost as well as much of Shakespeare’s signature rhythm and depth.
“Charles Mayer and Jo Bloom, a real-life couple, brought a natural ease to their roles as Antony and Cleopatra”
Visually and atmospherically, the production fully embraces its immersive concept. The performers begin the play on a raised platform in The Lounge foyer and then proceed to weave through the crowd, leaving viewers jostling for sight lines and straining to catch every word of dialogue. Though the audiences engagement increased once in the auditorium itself, the much anticipated immersive experience was broken by being moved between the two spaces four times. Wear comfortable shoes—you may find yourself standing for half the performance.
Story guide and Master of Ceremony Nathan Meola seemed more focused on the audience wellbeing, frequently encouraging us to relax and ‘shake it off’ -a choice that often pulled us out of the experience. Meola was more effective when he took charge of the narrative, adopting a more commanding presence. His strongest moment came when he recounted the ceremony of taking mandrake and Cleopatra’s visions. When his commentary merged with the visuals, it felt as though hieroglyphs had sprung to life—rich with mystery and ancient allure, exactly what the production needed throughout.
Charles Mayer and Jo Bloom, a real-life couple, brought a natural ease to their roles as Antony & Cleopatra. Their connection was evident, though the minimal dialogue between them meant that their relationship was often conveyed through movement and silence rather than words. At times, this built the necessary tension, but ultimately, some moments felt underdeveloped, leaving the full complexity of their relationship only partially realised.
Charley Allanah took on multiple roles to compensate for the small cast. While she brought dynamic energy to each, her delivery at times could have benefitted from more gravitas to fully align with the intensity of the events and their emotional Impact.
The mood was greatly enhanced by the work of Art Director Letitia Hodgkinson, whose set and costume designs were as striking as they were thoughtful. With sustainability at the heart of her vision, 90% of the materials were recycled, transforming the candlelit space into a visually compelling experience while championing the eco-friendly practices of theatre production.
In the end, the push and pull of energy, uneven tonal shifts, and frequent scene transitions between performance spaces disrupted the flow of this production and made it difficult for tension to build naturally. The iconic death scene – meant to rise with anticipation and land with full weight – felt fragmented rather than inevitable. While there were flashes of this iconic couple’s doomed passion, it ultimately lacked the depth that makes their story so compelling.
For those seeking a straightforward Shakespeare, this may be challenging. But for those open to reinvention, it offers a fresh perspective, prioritising feeling over fidelity. Caught between being an immersive experience, a meditative journey, and a piece of theatre, the production would benefit from a more focused direction. With a clearer vision, Come You Spirits could fully embrace the raw intensity of Antony & Cleopatra’s epic love story, allowing nuances of the passion and tragedy to truly shine.
Photo Credit: Syl Marie Photography