A witness throughout the rehearsal of Peter Hall's production of Anthony and Cleopatra, the author recalls the excitement of the rehearsals and the tension and final triumph of the National Theatre Company performance which starred Judi Dench and Anthony Hopkins. This book is a continuous unfolding of insights into Peter Hall's method as director, including a key chapter on verse speaking, into the working practices of two great stars and into the complexities of interpretation and performance of Shakespeare's most difficult text.