Cleopatra descends in Synetic’s latest production.

Romeo and Juliet? Been there, done that. Synetic Theater has a new pair of star-crossed lovers at the center of their latest silent Shakespeare production, and their story fuels one of the company’s most arresting shows to date.

Those familiar with Antony and Cleopatra might think of it as an awkward choice for a wordless interpretation, with its plot’s constant military back-and-forth, and its reliance on the clever wordplay between the titular characters. And while the new interpretation must have been a challenge to conceive, Synetic pulls it off with finesse, really focusing the story on its most emotionally-driven themes, and using clever storytelling techniques to get the details across. Having it all take place in the spacious Lansburg Theater, rather than Synetic’s more humble digs in Rosslyn, acts as a testament to Synetic’s rising status as one of the area’s most masterful companies.

The staging of Antony and Cleopatra sometimes goes the literal route: model boats swish across stage to reenact communication-by-letter between Egypt and Rome; a throne is literally torn into two pieces as leaders struggle for power. Other touches are more abstract, from the pale, faceless masks donning the political mob, to Mardian (Alex Mills) becoming a slithering, black-clad Egyptian spirit of sorts protecting his mistress throughout the proceedings.