Serpent, The

Synopsis: Seventh episode of a nine-part BBC television series comprising three of Shakespeare’s Roman plays - Coriolanus, Julius Caesar, and Antony and Cleopatra. This episode covers Antony and Cleopatra, Act I and II.
Series: Spread of the Eagle, The
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Television
Recording date: 19 Apr 1963
Transmission details: 14 Jun 1963 at 21:25 (Channel: BBC)
Duration: 50 mins

Notes: A VHS viewing copy of this episode is available at the BFI National Archive.
With a cast of 76 actors, the entire production incurred expenses of more than £9.000.
General: The title for the series, according to director Peter Dews, alludes to the Roman eagle, "aloof, golden, and cruel" (Radio Times, 25 April 1963: 49).
Figures: Reaction Index 71. The RI for Antony and Cleopatra in THE AGE OF KINGS series was 74 (BBC Audience Research). The Reaction Index is a measurement of the quality
and success of the programme with the audience who had watched it. It is based on a range of 0 to 100.)
Reviews: `Continuity Problem of New B.B.C. Shakespeare Series’, The Times, 4 May 1963: 5.

SHAKESPEARE