The Homeland star and American Horror Story actress took the stage at The New Yorker Festival on Sunday (04Oct15) for the first-ever reading of author Lawrence Wright's play, Cleo, which chronicles the making of epic drama, Cleopatra, and focuses on the scandal surrounding Burton and Taylor, who carried on a public affair despite the fact they were married to other people.

The performance was directed by actor Bob Balaban, and also featured The Man from U.N.C.L.E. star Robert Vaughn, and veteran theatre actors Robert Petkoff, Daniel Gerroll, Bruce Altman, and Katherine Leask.

Lindsay Lohan, Grant Bowler, Helena Bonham Carter and Dominic West have played Taylor and Burton in recent TV movies.