The dark and passionate tale of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra is given a 1920s twist by The Scullions.

Led by Nicky Cooper, The Scullions Theatre Company was set up when he was attending Bath Spa University.

His fellow students on the course were Tom Dello and Sam Robertson – and during the year they had a two-week residency at the Globe Theatre in London, which inspired them to to set up their company to perform Shakespeare plays.

Nicky also set up the Scullions Neoterics Theatre Company, which performs contemporary drama. The curtain rose on the company in 2016, and he took the name from one of Shakespeare’s texts. It means a servant who is given the worst tasks.

Antony and Cleopatra is set in the world of the bright young things of the roaring twenties, but the back drop is the dangerous criminal underworld of prohibition America.

Nicky said: The show is a semi-immersive take on the play, set in a 1920's cabaret bar owned by Cleo. With live music and authentic design and costume, we're hoping to deliver something on a more epic scale to what has come before!''

Joining Nicky in the drama are Sofia Caley, Julie Clerc, Petra Jones, Saili Katebe, Njeko Katebe, Alex Latham, Phoebe Mulcahy. Nic Proud, Sam Rugman, Corey Rumble and Michael Weston.

Nicky said: "Cleopatra was born to the greatest fortune in Egypt. Accustomed to such wealth, her life is a constant party of drink, drugs and fancy dress. Dubbing herself Queen of the Nile she and her entourage feel like gods. But vanity and power crave excitement.

"By arranged encounter, Cleo finds herself the lover of a very dangerous man – Mark Antony of Rome and one of a trio of men that run the criminal underworld with an iron fist as The Triumvirate.

"As Antony and Cleopatra’s worlds collide, shockwaves course through them and the universe is changed forever.''

Other Shakespeare texts performed by The Scullions were Hal and Falstaff – using elements of Henry IV parts one and two, Henry V and Otello.

The drama unfolds on Friday, February 15 at Swindon Dance, Town Hall Studios, Regent Circus from 7.30pm. Tickets are £12, concessions £10 from For more details visit www.thescullions.org

Nicky lives in Shrivenham and will be bringing the dramatic take on the Bard to the Memorial Hall in his home town in the Shrivenham Memorial Hall on March 15 and 16. - Flicky Harrison