Assistant editor Andrew Thomas reviews Coriolanus.
Political power, family loyalties and the fickle nature of fame are at the heart of Coriolanus, which the Royal Shakespeare Company has been performing at Kendal Leisure Centre this week.
Greg Hicks in the lead role is all edginess and pent-up energy, his body language screaming frustration at having to answer to the ordinary folk of Rome. When he hears war is likely he lets out an involuntary "yes!" and punches the air, before regaining his public composure.
The actor steals the show really, relishing the spectacular fighting scenes and appearing drenched in blood after combat.
Although accused of excessive pride by suitably smooth and scheming tribunes Simon Coates as Brutus and Tom Mannion as Sicinius, Greg Hicks offers us a more complex Coriolanus, modestly refusing plaudits, devoted to his mother but hugely dismissive of the Roman masses.
Richard Cordery cleverly portrays the calmness and wisdom of senator Menenius. Alison Fiske as Coriolanus's mother Volumnia reeks of political and warlord ambition for her son, but I found it difficult to make out everything she was saying, particularly in the first half.
One jarring element was the sudden appearance of guns towards the end of the play, when previously swords were the order of the day.
A lighting hitch held up the second half on opening night but the audience did not appear to mind and while only one set of lights was used after the interval that did not detract from a thought-provoking evening.
The final performance Friday is sold out.
May 23, 2003 09:00
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