THE production was directed by the Royal Shakespeare Company's Artistic Director, Michael Boyd.

I went to see Anthony and Cleopatra expecting another Romeo and Juliet - all the passion and perils of young love. But the two leads were were somewhat older than I imagined and there was very little love witnessed between them in the RSC's latest adaptation. Instead, this was more of a study of deceit and double-crossing, power and politics.

The story depicts Antony’s (Darrell D’Silva) love for Cleopatra (Kathryn Hunter). Antony is called upon by Caeser (John Mackay) to return home to Rome where he marries Octavia (Sophie Russell), Caesar’s sister. Cleopatra becomes jealous, a war happens between Rome and Egypt and, on his return to Cleopatra’s monument, he dies in her arms. She finally kills herself using a poisonous snake.

There was mainly a mature audience at this performance, which surprised me as I did think that there would be a lot more younger people there, being that it's a love story.

The stage setting and props used for this performance were minimal but the stage was used to its full potential with characters cominng down from ladders around the auditorium and through the audience.

D’Silva and Hunter did show a sense of humour, with some anger and tenderness between them but I felt it lacked passion.

Throughout the performance there were many funny parts such as when Cleopatra faints and the maids think she is dead but then pops back up, this got a laugh but would normally be a tragic point in the performance.

The cast were given a series of modern costume changes throughout the performance, which I found detracted away from the period of history of the story. Men in pinstripe suits, soldier in modern day military outfits and at one point her two ladies looking like the Blues Brother’s.

But on the whole Kathryn Hunter did capture Cleopatra pretty well. She played her part very energetically, with many facial expressions throughout the performance and even though she did look small and frail in stature she had a large presence on stage throughout.

D’Silva overall offered a good strong performance as Antony but I felt he lacked a little passion in this love story.

I have to say that Brian Doherty played an outstanding Enobarbus and I found him very engaging throughout the performance and especially when he was overcome with grief and killed himself.

The performance finished with quite a dramatic ending and the lighting used on Cleopatra captured her death really well.

The play was not as I imagined as I guess I remember the version played by Liz Taylor and Richard Burton who depicted the triumphs and tragedy so well in the film version.

I would recommend going to see this production by the RSC but be prepared to see it in a different but modern take and not expect the same passion as portrayed in the film.

Antony and Cleapatra runs until August 28, 2010.

For further details visit rsc.org.uk or telephone 0844 800 1110. Tickets from £12, (16 - 25 year olds) £5.