The charisma of Beyoncé, the influence of Oprah, and the wealth of the Kardashians – one woman had it all a millennia before them: Cleopatra. House of Cleopatra is an all-new, toga-toting, eyeliner-filled musical extravaganza from Laura Kleinbaum and Jeff Daye, shining a palm-fringed light on history’s most famous woman. This exhilarating, immersive new musical takes the audience on a turbulent ride down the Nile as Cleopatra’s epic reign begins to teeter on the edge of destruction.
31BC: Cleopatra is the most powerful woman the world has ever seen, hailing Egypt’s latest triumph over the Roman Republic with an extravagant celebration in honour of her lover, military leader Marc Antony. Welcome to the House of Cleopatra, where a woman rules and the party never stops. But Cleopatra is surrounded by treacherous men envious of her power and kingdom. Outside the city walls, Roman general Octavian lurks, and enemies from all sides plot the downfall of her dynasty – just as the party is hitting its crescendo.
With a book by Laura Kleinbaum, this exciting new musical is set to an original high-octane pop score, with lyrics by Laura Kleinbaum and Jeff Daye, and music by Jeff Daye, and delves into the story of one of history’s most mysterious, famous rulers – and how this all-powerful queen became Egypt’s last pharaoh. Mixing historical drama with visual spectacle, Cleopatra’s guests will be thrilled and grooving all night long.
Jeff Daye comments We’re thrilled to bring House of Cleopatra to Edinburgh, the original home of theatre that’s also a good time. Cleopatra was the Queen B of her day, and she threw the most lavish parties the world had ever seen – and so what better place to invite you to one than at the Fringe? We can’t wait to share Cleo’s House of theatre, nightlife, pop-dance music, fashion, and drag with the UK audience.
House of Cleopatra is produced by Alchemation and Nathaniel Hill. Alchemation is an award-winning theatrical producing office founded by Kevin McCollum (The Notebook, Mrs. Doubtfire, The Devil Wears Prada, SIX (North America), Rent, Avenue Q, In the Heights). House of Cleopatra originally premiered off Broadway as CLEOPATRA: The Musical Experience; it is an updated and re-worked production.
