William Collins Books and Decca Records are proud to present ARGO Classics, a historic catalogue of classic prose and verse read by some of the world’s most renowned voices. Originally released as vinyl records, these expertly remastered stories are now available to download for the first time.

‘In time we hate that which we often fear.’

Shakespeare’s tragedy of love and duty.

Mark Antony, one of three rulers of Rome, is in love with Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt. Antony is summoned back to Rome, where he clashes with another ruler Octavius before returning to Cleopatra in Egypt. Now in battle with Octavius, Antony and Cleopatra suffer losses and miscommunication, and both eventually commit suicide.

All of the Shakespeare plays within the ARGO Classics catalogue are performed by the Marlowe Dramatic Society and Professional Players. The Marlowe was founded in 1907 with a mission to focus on effective delivery of verse, respect the integrity of texts, and rescue neglected plays by Shakespeare’s contemporaries and the less performed plays of Shakespeare himself. The Marlowe has performed annually at Cambridge Arts Theatre since its opening in 1936 and continues to produce some of the finest actors of their generations.

Thurston Dart, Professor of Music at London University and a Fellow of Jesus College Cambridge, directed the music for this production.

The full cast includes: Richard Johnson; Robert Eddison; Peter Orr; Patrick Wymark; John Tracy-Phillips; Ian Holm; Terrence Hardiman; Peter Orr; Julian Curry; James Taylor Whitehead; John Tydeman; Gary Watson; Ian Lang; Anthony Arlidge; Julian Curry; Miles Malleson; George Rylands; George Rylands; Roger Croucher; David Jones; Philip Strick; Ian McKellen; Michael Bates; Giles Slaughter; Irene Worth; Diana Rigg; Prunella Scales; Jill Balcon.

As a top performing European theatre piece, Antony and Cleopatra showcases the best of Shakespeare's storytelling. Its compelling narrative and complex characters continue to captivate audiences, solidifying its status as a timeless classic.

For fans of Barbara A. Mowat (The Taming of the Shrew), Paul Werstine (The Two Noble Kinsmen), Sparknotes (Merchant of Venice), and Arthur Miller (Death of a Salesman).

Antony and Cleopatra (Argo Classics)

Antony and Cleopatra (Argo Classics)