'Coriolanus' is not an easy play to perform or stage, with Coriolanus not being easy to identify with, and dramatically is not as concise or as consistently gripping as other Shakespeare plays. One of Shakespeare's most compelling and more complex titular characters is one of the main interest points, regardless of whether he is likeable or not (more the latter), as well as it emphasising a class divide that wouldn't be too out of date today.
This Stratford production of 'Coriolanus' is so much better than the current rating suggests, and the negative reviewers judging from their senseless criticisms clearly wrote reviews for the wrong title. It's not perfect, and there is a preference for the National Theatre Live and Royal Shakespeare Company productions, but there is a lot that is worthy of admiration. Even if it is on the overblown side visually at times, it's mostly very well acted (with one exception) and overcomes the play's hurdles quite well. The non-traditional setting also works better than expected and there is plenty of appeal for those familiar with the play and is accessible for first time viewers too.
Am going to start with the things that didn't quite come over as well as the rest. For my tastes, Lucy Peacock was too shrill as Volumnia, especially in the declamatory moments which she goes at too hard.
While the spectacle is very atmospheric, ambitious and eye catching with clever use of technology, it does at times feel overblown and drama swamping, also not always necessary in the more intimate moments. Some of the filming tries to do a little too much.
However, the good things outweigh the not so good things and the good things are actually brilliant. Andre Sills gives an intensely fierce and powerful portrayal in the demanding title role, one that he brings many layers to. One may argue that Coriolanus isn't likeable here, but it is my feeling that Coriolanus is not a likeable character in the first place and is difficult to make so. After seeing him in more comedic Shakespeare roles, it was great to see Tom McCamus in a more serious one and do it in such a suave, sincere and smooth way. Stephen Ouimette and Tom Rooney are unsettlingly manipulative. The character interaction in the production is quite masterful, saw some relationships in a different light watching this production even.
Staging may be non-traditional, but it is also very tasteful and powerful in its intensity. There are some inventive touches without being gimmicky or trying to be too clever, the way the characters are directed is complex and insightful rather than cliched or tired and any modernisations don't jar. 'Coriolanus' is a still politically relevant play and the class divide hasn't dated either, meaning it lends itself better than most Shakespeare plays (with some such as 'As You Like It' having a specific setting) to non-traditional productions. The political elements are not laid on too thick and the class struggle and its tensions are particularly effectively depicted.
Liked the use of sound and music as well, very atmospheric. It is a striking production visually, with the settings and costumes matching the play's tone perfectly. Really don't understand the "non-existent props" complaint in a production full of use of ambitious technical work that is very eye catching with well paced transitions. Visually, this 'Coriolanus' is one of the most visually ambitious filmed Stratford Shakespeare productions, matched only by 'The Tempest' a couple of years back.
Overall, very, very good. 8/10.
