Colin McEnroe Show: Cleopatra Has The World Under Her Spell

We explore the life of one of history's most famous queens.

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J.W. Waterhouse: Cleopatra (1888)
Photo:Flickr Creative Commons, freeparking
Kate Mulgrew
Photo:Chion Wolf
WNPR's Patrick Skahill with Kate Mulgrew and Colin McEnroe
Photo:Chion Wolf
Colin McEnroe Show: Cleopatra Has The World Under Her Spell
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Colin McEnroe Show: Cleopatra Has The World Under Her Spell

I suppose we should be doing yet another pre-election show today, but it feels good to be doing, instead, a show about a woman politician who predates Sarah Palin, Hillary Clinton and Linda McMahon by 2,000 years and who played -- for the most part rather masterfully -- a very dangerous version of that game.

One of the extraordinary aspects of Cleopatra is the sheer amount of free will she exercised in making alliances, both strategic and romantic. Women -- even royal women -- of that period tended to be handed over to men as part of more complicated bargains.

Cleopatra called her own shots, which caused her to make some very smart decisions and perhaps, in the end, one slightly bad one.

She continued to love Antony after he had outlived his usefulness. In all probability, she died for him. We'll look at Cleopatra as archeology and and theater today.

Leave your comments below, e-mail colin@wnpr.org or Tweet us @wnprcolin.


  

Comments

I loved listening to your

I loved listening to your interview with Kate Mulgrew, listening to your view and Kate's view I felt like I was there watching the play, but unfortunately living in the UK I am unable to see it, but it sounds a fantastic and a brillaint performance. My thanks to you and Kate for a wonderful interview.

Cleopatra / Kate Mulgrew

Fantastic interview, well prepared and very interesting.I live in Croatia and I couldn't wait to get home and listen to it on your web site.Excellent part with Kate Mulgrew! This Lady is stunning, so eloquent,it was wonderful to hear her thoughts on Cleopatra, the play itself,how she prepared,her feelings on Cleo, Janeway and the play "Tea at Five" and Katharine Hepburn. Loved it and it's on my iPhone now for future listening.It was educational,witty and casual with Kate.Am an admiror of Kate since I was a kid,and I really looked forward to this today, since I am unable to see the play. Congrats and Thanx for posting for all of us who are unable to listen to it live.

E-mail from Deborah

I love today's show, and I'm unable to get out of my car - which I really do need to do. What a spectacular overview of the play, the era, the enigma that is Cleopatra. For the record, I loved the performance as well. Thank you.

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