Lloyd Evans Lloyd Evans

The National Theatre’s live-streaming policy is bizarre

Plus: a play that will be of great interest to blokes from Leicester who like fighting and football

Fabulous Sophie Okonedo in the National Theatre's 2018 production of Antony & Cleopatra. Image: Johan Persson 
issue 16 May 2020

The National’s bizarre livestreaming service continues. On 7 May, for one week only, it released a modern-dress version of Antony and Cleopatra set in a series of strategy rooms, conference centres and five-star hotel suites. The lovestruck Roman was played by a louche, gruff, brooding Ralph Fiennes. Why is this man so watchable? He lacks the least mark of distinction.

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