CORIOLANUS: Shakespeare, RSC till 25 January.

CORIOLANUS: William Shakespeare.
RSC: The Swan, Stratford Upon Avon.
Tkts: 0870 609 1110.

Runs: 3h 15m, one interval, till 25 January.
Review: Rod Dungate, 27 November 2002.

(This is Rod's review of the opening at Stratford: reviewed at its London opening by Vera Lustig on the site.)

Coriolanus clearly a play for today in Farr's laid bare production: immediate and compelling.
I don't know whether it's our times or David Farr's vision that enables this production to be so much a play for today perhaps it's a bit of both. But here we have, in Coriolanus, a leader (dare I say presidential leader?) fit and ready to lead except that he will not cow-tow to the masses, nor does he like being directly answerable to them. The people are led by leaders (who happen here to be called Tribunes) who manipulate their support for their own good the moot point being does 'their' relate to the people or the Tribunes?

Farr's laid-bare production is so very clearly more about the presentation of politics than about the politics themselves and any relationship with current debates around New Labour must be deliberate (and telling). Having said this, Farr renders the debate neither simplistic nor one-sided. And his mirror reflects back to us the play at a different angle, perhaps, shining a spotlight on new facets.

Key to this production is Coriolanus' mother's speech (a fabulous Volumnia from Alison Fiske) as she trains her son in how to present himself to the masses 'Action is eloquence, and the eyes of th' ignorant/ More learned than the ears . . . ' Fiske is both right and creepy, she perfectly merges mother and media consultant. Her erect stature and low-register voice thrill us while her arrogance repels us.

Like mother, like son: never could this be truer. Greg Hicks's natural physicality lends itself to this flawed hero. It seems his natural expression is a sneer and his privileged life a natural expression of the world as it is. As with his mother, we despise him and admire him. We love his dignity, strength, swashbuckling bravery: we hate his patronising mocking attitude to the people we believe he should serve. Hicks pulls us to and fro and we are putty in his hands.

To see the enormous talent of Hicks and Fiske, though, you have to see these two performances alongside their outstanding partnership in the current Merry Wives cliché coming up, but it's hard to remember these are the same people.

Among a strong company, Richard Cordery is particularly effective as Menenius, Senator and friend to Coriolanus. His laid back performance he dons no elements of dignity nor authority, in fact he's even a bit shambolic enables him to be a perfect and easy bridge for us into a play that is always in danger of distancing us.

Settings are by Ti Green and sparse, throwing all emphasis on the play's complex discussion. The chosen Japanese setting, while on one level effective, on another is so visually strong that it's in danger of toppling the play. And some of the costumes the tiniest bit silly which gives the actors hurdles they shouldn't have to overcome.

Caius Martius, Coriolanus: Greg Hicks.
Volumnia: Alison Fiske.
Virgilia: Hanna Young.
Young Martius: Oscar Powell/ Alexander Thompson.
Valeria: Claire Carrie.
Gentlewoman: Kate Best.
Menenius: Richard Cordery.
Cominius: David Killick.
Titus Lartius: Kieron Jecchinis.
First Senator: Patrick Romer.
Sicinius Velutus: Tom Mannion.
Junius Brutus: Simon Coates.
First Citizen: Lindsey Fawcett.
Citizens: Kate Best, Claire Carrie, Richard Copestake, Michael Gardiner, Adam Kay, Ciaran McIntyre, Karl Morgan, James O'Donnell, Patrick Homer, Lucy Tregea.,
Officers in the Senate: Karl Morgan, James O'Donnell.
Herald: Adam Kay.
Tullus Aufidius: Chuk Iwuji.
First Senator: Michael Gardiner.
Second Senator: Ciaran McIntyre.
Lieutenant: Karl Morgan.
Watch: Richard Copestake, Kieron Jecchinis.
Servingmen: Adam Kay, Karl Morgan, James O'Donnell.

Director: David Farr.
Design: Ti Green.
Season Stage Design: Ti Green, Peter KcKintosh.
Lighting: Hartley T A Kemp.
Music: Keith Clouston.
Movement: Lorna Marshall.
Fights: Terry King.
Martial Arts Instructor: Alasdair Monteith.
Sound: Gregory Clarke.
Music Director: Bruce O'Neil.
Dialect Coach: Charmian Hoare.
Company Voice Work: Andrew Wade, Jeannette Nelson.

2002-12-08 14:39:36