The following synopsis was the trimmed version used for the 2025 production at the Utah Shakespeare Festival:
At the end of the Roman Republic, Triumvirate Mark Antony and Queen Cleopatra of Egypt are deeply in love. Antony’s love has kept him in Egypt and away from his political and military duties in Rome––which worries Canidius, a Roman soldier, who tells Antony’s right hand man, Eros, his anxieties about their leader. Antony and Cleopatra, completely engrossed in each other, dismiss Canidius’ message from Rome.
Cleopatra’s attendants––Charmian, Iras, and Alexas––consult a soothsayer who predicts they will outlive her. Canidius and Eros finally tell Antony the news: his wife Fulvia has waged war against fellow Triumvirate Octavius Caesar and that Fulvia is dead. Antony declares he must “break off” from Cleopatra and return to Rome to help deal with Sextus Pompey, a rival gaining power. Enobarbus, Antony’s best friend and lieutenant, warns him that Cleopatra will resist his departure. Just as predicted, she tries to convince him to stay, but is eventually reconciled to Antony leaving after he assures her of his devotion.
In Rome, Triumvirates Octavius Caesar and Lepidus criticize Antony’s lifestyle in Egypt before receiving news that Sextus Pompey, the son of Julius Caesar’s old rival, is in rebellion against Rome. Pompey has gained control of critical islands Sardinia and Sicily, and the sea around Rome. Antony arrives and Octavius rebukes him for ignoring his messages. Lepidus and Octavius’ adviser Maecenas urge them to reconcile. Octavius’ naval captain Agrippa proposes that Antony marry Octavius’ sister, Octavia, to strengthen their alliance. Antony agrees and meets Octavia, promising to be faithful.
Back in Egypt, Cleopatra receives the news of Antony’s marriage and flies into a rage. She assaults the messenger, Eros, and sends Alexas to observe Octavia’s appearance.
Pompey strategizes with his followers, confident he can defeat the Triumvirate as long as Antony remains in Egypt. But he is surprised to learn that Antony has returned to Rome. In Messina, a temporary truce is made between Pompey and the triumvirs, celebrated with a feast aboard Pompey’s ship. Pirate Menas privately offers to kill the triumvirs and make Pompey ruler, but Pompey rejects the dishonorable act.
Octavia travels with Antony to Athens but soon departs for Rome to mediate tensions between her brother and husband. Meanwhile, Cleopatra is pleased to hear that Octavia is unimpressive. In Rome, Octavius is angered by Antony’s public act of crowning Cleopatra queen of several Roman territories and naming her children their heirs. When Octavia arrives, Octavius reveals that Antony has already returned to Cleopatra. He declares that Antony has given his empire up to Cleopatra.
In Egypt, Antony and Cleopatra prepare to fight Octavius in the Battle of Actium. Cleopatra insists on joining the battle, to Enobarbus’ dismay. Antony ignores advice from his generals and chooses to fight at sea. Cleopatra’s retreat mid-battle causes Antony to follow her, costing him the victory and most of his legions, many of whom defect to Octavius.
Antony, humiliated, sends an envoy to Octavius, who offers Cleopatra pardon if she betrays or kills Antony. Octavius sends Thidias to bribe Cleopatra and Antony sees Thidias kissing her hand and has him whipped. Though furious at Cleopatra, she convinces him of her loyalty. Antony regains some resolve, but Enobarbus, disillusioned, deserts him for Octavius. Antony challenges Octavius to single combat, which Octavius mocks and refuses. Antony rallies his men for one last fight.
When he hears of Enobarbus’ desertion, Antony generously sends his belongings plus additional gifts after him. Enobarbus is overcome with guilt and dies of a broken heart.
Octavius places Antony’s deserters at the front of his army to demoralize Antony’s side. The battle begins, and Antony wins a small victory. He returns to Alexandria to celebrate with Cleopatra. Soon, however, Octavius advances again. Cleopatra, fearing for her life, hides in her monument and sends a false message to Antony that she is dead. Believing her, Antony tries to kill himself but only wounds himself. Dying, he is brought to Cleopatra’s side, where they share a final farewell before he dies.
Cleopatra mourns and plans to kill herself rather than be paraded in Rome. She sneaks poisonous asps hidden under fig leaves into her monument. Cleopatra dies alongside Iras and Charmian. Octavius finds her body and orders a royal burial for Antony and Cleopatra together.
