In early June, the auditorium inside San Quentin Rehabilitation Center’s new Learning Center was christened by talented incarcerated thespians who performed their rendition of William Shakespeare’s play “Antony and Cleopatra.” 

The play opened with Bruno Mars’ song “24K Magic.” Original rap lyrics supplanted Mars’ words and were sung to fit 21st century San Quentin, which brought the centuries-old theatrical work forward to give the audience a more contemporary feel.

Mark Antony, played by Gabriel Moctezuma, and Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, played by Angi Gordon, opened the play with dialogue. 

“I learn you take things ill that is not so,” said Moctezuma (Mark Antony) in one scene.

Between scenes the sound of a trumpet was mimicked with voice as impromptu improvisation when the trumpeter did not show for the performance. The audience watched and listened intently.

“Mark Antony’s wife waged war on Caesar’s troops,” said Menas, a captain loyal to Pompey, played by Curtys Taylor.

“Nobel friends, what’s amiss?” asked Lepidus, played by Steve Drown.

The story begins after the Roman Empire fought a civil war and the Triumvirate leaders, Octavius Caesar, played by Nythell Collins; Lepidus (Drown); and Mark Antony (Moctezuma) emerged to rule the empire as an alliance. 

“You are abused beyond the mark of thought,” Caesar (Collins) said to his sister Octavia, played by Lexi Garcia.

The actors’ months of rehearsal became immediately apparent through their use of old-world dialect as they adorned ancient costumes from an earlier period. Makeshift props, such as an Egyptian portrait hung like a tapestry, made for real stage imagery.

The intimacy of the small venue in the new auditorium was similar to the contrast of a rock band concert performed in a stadium, versus an unplugged performance in a small lounge. The audience seemed receptive and pleased.

Not one to be overlooked, Cleopatra (Gordon) projected her voice well, in a loud and soft dynamic range, without the use of a microphone. She seemed to be in her natural element and performed comfortably on stage. At certain moments, other actors became almost ancillary to the production as Gordon commanded attention in dramatic style. When Gordon took center stage, she got into character and never looked back.

In another scene, Antony (Moctezuma) is unable to arouse Octavius (Collins) to fight him in battle. What follows is a plan to fight on land, after a night of excess drinking and partying.

“Friends in arms, but not in war,” they shouted. They danced, imbued with spirits to the point of foolish laughter in their inebriated stupor.

“To health and Lepidus,” they shouted. Lepidus (Drown) was falling down drunk.

As battle ensues on the high seas, improvisation — as only imprisoned men are forced to negotiate — took center stage. A cortege of ships painted on cardboard, held by the actors, were used to depict a naval skirmish. A long colorfully designed blue cloth was held to the floor and shaken from both ends to simulate the rough ocean current.

Mark Antony (Moctezuma) loses the battle at sea. Believing he has been betrayed by Cleopatra (Gordon), Antony turns his rage on her.

“You have served me well, and kings have been your fellows,” Mark Antony (Moctezuma) said in a speech to his loyal servants before shaking their hands.

In keeping with actors’ tradition, the cast members all held hands on the stage after their performance and took a bow before the audience. The applause after the two-hour performance was the indicator that everyone was pleased.

“This is our very first performance in this new space,” said Marianne Shine, an assistant with Shakespeare at San Quentin.

During a question-and-answer session after the play, the audience commented. “I though it was brilliant,” said one woman who visited the prison.

“You can’t be your best without the cast being their best, and vice versa,” said Collins, who played Caesar.

Steve Drown (Lepidus) has been in the Shakespeare program for 14 years, starting at California State Prison Solano. “I’m able to take things from those roles and apply them to my rehabilitation,” he said.

“A lot of groups in prison are about checking boxes,” said Gordon. “Honestly, and truthfully, this group is my family. It helps me survive prison.”

James Ryan Clifford, who played Mecaenas, a loyal captain to Octavius Caesar, said, “I get to step outside the role I have to play in a prison environment.”