UPDATE: OFF-BROADWAY

Vanessa Redgrave will direct and star in Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra in February 1997 at the Joseph Papp Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival. Redgrave and David Harewood will reprise the title roles which they created earlier this year at Houston's Alley Theatre.

Antony and Cleopatra will mark Redgrave's New York directing debut, and her third depiction of Cleopatra. London's Moving Theatre, which Vanessa founded with her brother Corin Redgrave, originated this production. Redgrave was recently seen Off-Broadway in the role of Vita Sackville-West, opposite Eileen Atkins as Virginia Woolfe, in successful Vita and Virginia.

Harewood, a British actor trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, will be making his New York debut. Having performed on stage and radio in England, Harewood has been seen here in the film Mad Dogs and Englishmen..

Antony and Cleopatra will be the 35th production in the Shakespeare marathon began in 1987 by NYSF founder Joseph Papp. With the production of Henry VIII next summer in Central Park's Delacorte Theatre, the Festival will have produced all of William Shakespeare's plays. Performances will be held at The Public's Anspacher Theatre. Tickets are available through the Public Theater box office (425 Lafayette Street) or by calling Telecharge at (212) 239-6200.

-- By Kevin W. Reardon

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