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The Play

Shakespeare's final, and perhaps most vigorous tragedy, it is perhaps one of the most morally complex explorations of warfare in the English language. The story looks at the journey of Caius Martius, later Caius Martius Coriolanus. Having won remarkable victories in battle, his reputation as a warrior is unparalleled. Back in front of his own people in peace-time however, Martius is less able to contend with the political arena in which he finds himself. Soon, his arrogant distaste for the mob is all too apparent, and he is exiled from Rome . At the point of leading his sworn enemies the Volsces in battle against his native Rome , Coriolanus makes a fatal element in hearing the pleas of his mother Volumnia- his own Achilles' heel. What follows is a compromise fundamentally alien to Coriolanus, and mortal to him as a character.

Cast

Caius Martius Coriolanus (Chris Davies), Titus Lartius (William Poyer), Cominius (Jason Dickerson), Menenius (Tom Morgan), Sicinius (Tomos Ryan), Brutus (Iain Shaw), Tullus Aufiduis ( Barnaby Kellett), Volumnia (Alice White), Virgilia (Karla Evans), Valeria (Rachael Rees), Senators (Oliver Llewellyn Jenkins, Michael Tucker, Steffan Turner), Aedile (Rhys Scourfield), Soldiers (Joseph Evans, Scott Lavery, Oliver Llewellyn Jenkins, Daniel Spencer, Michael Tucker, Steffan Turner) Gentlewoman (Leanne Jefferies), Citzens/Messengers (Kirsty Ayers, Seona Taylor Bell, Jack Cooke, Leah Eynon, Mair George-Babi, Finola Glacken, Hannah Good, Leanne Jefferies, Rhiannon Jenkins, Paul Jewell, Scott Lavery, Tara Page, Rhys Scourfield, Daniel Spencer, Steffan Turner), Conspirators (Jack Cooke, Paul Jewell, Joseph Evans) Young Martius (Tyler Jones).

Production Team

Gemma Thomas (Stage Manager), Jason Clay, Scott Duffy Bevan, Aled Gwillim, Sophie Jones, Hannah Phillips, Jennie Quirk, Naomi Troake, Rebecca Webb-Erwin, Tom Williams.

Staff

Director - Nick Evans.
Advisory Director - Godfrey Evans
Original Music - Leigh Phillips
Production - Adrian Hocking, Jeff Lewis, Mary Pugh, Yvonne Hudd
Production Photography - Neil Collier.

Course Notes

Produced as part of the Margam Festival, Coriolanus was the eleventh Shakespearian text to be staged by the company and was the opening work of the company's 30th anniversary celebrations. It also marked a first project with the company in 13 years for founder director Mr.Godfrey Evans, returning to work alongside director Nick Evans. The company were also all involved in the production of The Prime of Miss. Jean Brodie.