In my Italian Shakespeare company, Il Licinium, I create new productions on budgets so tiny that they would make any opera company laugh. With the help of video artist Stefano Pan, I use video scenery – surely the most economical form of scenic design, as well as potentially the most exciting. In this very short video of my production of Antony and Cleopatra , you can see how Stefano and I have worked together to create a surreal/epic background to the conflict between the three very different ancient civilisations of Egypt, Rome and Greece.

Costumes for the shows are mostly created by local artisans, but a good relationship with the famous Fondazione Ceratelli in Pisa allows me the luxury of having important details such as Cleopatra’s crown created by the highest level of professionals. A vital part of good economy is to spend money where the public will really notice it. By the way, the shoulder sections of the armour worn by the roman soldiers were created using rubber floor mats from Vespa scooters. Viva Italia!