Antony and Cleopatra [Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare]

Beverly Hills, CA: Bard Productions, Ltd., Circa 1981. Vintage script for the 1984 televised stage production of the Shakespeare play, copy belonging to Speech and Dialect Coach Roberta Farkas, her name in manuscript ink on both the top right of the recto and the top of the verso of the front wrapper. Profusely annotated on every page in manuscript ink and pencil in multiple colors, regarding dialect, elocution, as well as camera choice and staging. Farkas even supplies a legend on the verso of the front wrapper of "Yellow = 1st read-thru / Dark red = 12/17 run thru / Pink [over struck 'green'] = 12/19 afternoon / Navy = Weds, taping / Green = Thurs. aft. taping." Front wrapper with copy number "26" in manuscript pencil on the bottom right, and front wrapper and title page both feature director credits to Paul Blake, struck through, with Lawrence Carra written in, in manuscript ink. The script is preceded by three pages, bound in, of "Scene Titles."

First broadcast in the United Kingdom on the Bravo channel on October 5, 1984. The production, part of a nine play series produced in England, was recorded live on videotape for Bard Productions sometime between 1981 and 1983, as sources vary. While not altering the Bard's text, the production was meant to offer a more conversational and less intimidating version of Shakespeare, and utilized sparse sets and costumes based on the original designs from the Globe Theatre's productions of Shakespeare's day.

Featuring the future James Bond, Timothy Dalton, as Marc Antony, and stage, screen, and television star (and OBE recipient) Lynn Redgrave as Cleopatra, the stage production was also noted for John Carradine's brief role as the Soothsayer, and for two exceptional performances from "Star Trek" alumni Nichelle Nichols and Walter Koenig, as Charmian and Pompey, respectively.

Dalton reprised the role in May through July, 1986, at the Haymarket Theatre in London, directed by Toby Robertson, and starring Lynn Redgrave's sister, Vanessa Redgrave, in the role of Cleopatra.

Blue titled wrappers, with credits for William Shakespeare and director Paul Blake, with Blake struck through, and Lawrence Carra written in, in manuscript ink. Title page present, with credits for William Shakespeare and director Paul Blake, with Blake struck through, and Lawrence Carra written in, in manuscript ink. 148 leaves, with last page of text numbered 144. Mimeograph duplication, rectos only. Pages Near Fine, wrapper Very Good plus, with some light soiling and edgewear, bound with two gold brads.

[Book #154433]