Reader Reviews
Coriolanus (Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | This was my first trip to te Globe and before I went I thought maybe I was asking for trouble by picking a play considered to be a "hard"one to stand through. How wrong I was! I throughly enjoyed every moment and would strongly recommend to all. Cake was simply superb! And if, like me you are worried about standing for 3hrs - don't be. The time flies by! - 82.110.212.210) | 21 Jul 06 |
| Not the easiest of plays and Jonathan Cake was simply not up to the job. He may well have been feeling things with truthfulness, but it was impossibe to tell as he simply was not capable of acting the verse, he was incomprehensble for large parts of the play. Incredibly, having a weak leading man didn't completely wreck the play. It was directed with verve and Margot Leicester was absolutely superb. She had everything Shakespeare requires emotional truthfulnes, boldness and delicacy.I also thought John Dougal gave and excellently assured performance. Thank goodness The Globe appears to be freeing itself from the shackles of "Authentic" Elizabethan practices. - 62.31.40.29) | 16 Jul 06 |
| fantastic production of a play often considered difficult, great acting from Johnathan Cake and supporting cast, the production made the synopsis clear. I would see it again if I could, a great afternoon. - 62.6.139.13) | 13 Jul 06 |
| I saw the matinee performance on Sunday 18th June, and have to agree with the WOS reviewer. I don't believe that you should have to be familiar with a Shakespeare text to be able to enjoy it, or understand it - if this were the case, then Shakespeare wouldn't have survived so long. And from what I can gather, "Coriolanus" doesn't exctly have the most labrynthine of plots. Yet I battled, not only with the drone of aircraft and some poor projection, to understand what was going on. The comments about Jonathan Cake's delivery is spot-on - It came across as nothing but a high-speed line-run for him, making the sense and content of his dialogue impenetrable. Any emotion seemed faked and premeditated, and I began to dread his next appearance on the stage. And yet Cake seemed inordinantly pleased with himself by the curtain call. Maybe, like me, he was just pleased it was over... However, the 2 stars given here are in recognition of some superb, detailed performances by the supporting cast, which prevented the entire experience from being a wasted one, and brought many laughs from the audience. - 62.25.109.195) | 19 Jun 06 |
| I have no idea whether the press night really deserved the poor review WOS has given it, but that couldn't be further from my experience of this rowdy, brash, humourous and utterly excellent production. I've never liked Coriolanus, even the recent RSC version, but this production has completely changed my mind about the potential of the text. An excellent start to the Globe's new regime. - 194.200.65.239) | 16 Jun 06 |
| I've seen 7 productions (yes!) and ENERGY is the critical thing with this play: the performance I saw at the Globe had it in spades. Jonathan Cake powers the whole thing with terrific Rugby-Player charisma. The first 45 minutes go like a rocket - truly exhilarating! Thereafter the narrative is clear, there's some great support acting (particularly the two guys playing the tribunes) and this is a good production of a difficult play. One quibble - some of the blocking was poor and the walkways into the yard tend to make the sightlines from the galleries difficult - half the house around me were on their feet, craning to see - Dromgoole clearly has a bit to learn about staging in the space (compare with Lucy Bailey's excellent Titus). But, it is his first show, and, that aside, contrary to Max Cooter's review, this is a well directed, well acted evening. Why is it that critics seem unable to tell good acting from bad and vice versa (you'd think that a pre-requisite of the job)? - 195.54.229.238) | 07 Jun 06 |
| I have seen only 4 productions of this play and am therefore I suppose limited in my acquaintenceship with the play. However I do not agree that the lead performer in this play is poor. I think it deserves a better rating than the two stars given by your reviewer and would think at least 3 more appropriate. I too thought Margot Leicester superb. - 84.64.88.5) | 07 Jun 06 |
| Dominic Dromgoole's inaugural production of the "Edges of Rome" season at Shakespeare's Globe is predictably unpredictable. Arguably Shakespeare's most political play, Corialanus can be heavy going and frequently is; this production is infused with energy, pace and passion embodied in the athletic performance of Jonathan Cake in the title role (at last - a Corialanus who convinces us that he is both a patrician and a rough and tough warrior, not just a dressed-up luvvie). Some of the verse-speaking left a lot to be desired in those who had not worked at the Globe before but this will doubtless be rectified in due course. The decision to design the production in predominantly Jacobean dress with a vague contemporary gesture towards Roman garb by throwing togas over the top is an inspired one which links us instantly with what it might have been seen in Shakespeare's own time. But the predominance of deep red throughout occasionally works against itself, making the actors melt into the background which appears careless and unintentional, even in a play rooted in blood. Initially the very small Roman crowd appears underwhelming but if the groundlings participate as they are, presumably, supposed to, and swell the ranks then disbelief is easily suspended. Dromgoole manages to bring out the rare lighter-hearted moments and clearly relishes Corialanus' bloody death in equal parts. There will undoubtedly be those who carp and dissemble, on principle, but this is an exhilarating start to the new regime and should be relished as such. - 212.32.47.42) | 16 May 06 |
| I've always thought not enough happened in Coriolanus ! Previous productions at the RSC, RNT and Almeida have managed to paper over this with great productions. This is a good rather than great production, so I'm afraid it drags - particularly the long first half. The use of the groundling space (and the groundlings!) helps Rome loook less sparcely populated than the cast of 18 on its own make it look, but in the end it's the central performance which lets it down. Jonathan Cake seems to have a smirk on his face throughout, which throws his inmterpretaion completely off-beam. - 86.130.208.107) | 15 May 06 |
| I too was not impressed by Cake's performance in the title role. Those not familiar with the play (ie most of the audience)must have struggled to make sense of his gabbled lines. The fights were comically inept and the final scene, in which Aufidius cuts out Coriolanus' heart, drew roars of laughter from the audience. I know there is some textual warrant for this bit of business but it looked absurd. The excellent supporting cast were left to carry the production and they did a great job. And yes, the aircraft noise is maddening! Planes have an uncanny knack of flying overhead at the most inopportune moments... This was my first visit to the Globe and frankly I won't be in a hurry to come again. I got the impression that many people in the audience had little interest in the play itself, they were just having a Shakespeare Experience as part of their trip to London. - 84.71.155.72) | 12 May 06 |
| Jonathan Cake, right from the start, was charismatic & compelling as Coriolanus, contrary to what WOS reviewer M. Cooter says. It was a gripping theatrical evening - fabuloso. Some great acting.Thanks Globe. I'm looking forward to the rest of the season. - 82.69.66.185) | 11 May 06 |
| Whilst I agree with some of the reviewer's comments - namely the play's political tension playing second fiddle to broad humour - I hugely enjoyed this production. I've only read the play and found it far darker than this production suggests. However, I was impressed that so much wit was brought out and thought the leading players were terrific (especially Menenius). I disagree with the opinion on Coriolanus - I thought he was the ancient equivalent of a rugby player with cotton wool between his ears. I, too, would have liked him to be more of a war machine but he had an arrogance about him that was entirely appropriate. And this play has one of my favourite Shakespeare phrases that perfectly sums up the title character: "Action is eloquence". If you like this play and you fancy the traditional treatment this is an atmospheric and engaging night out. - 87.74.117.104) | 11 May 06 |
| A fabulous production with a first rate cast. The length of the play (3 hours) just disappears as you become more and more involved in the play. Extending the stage into the 'pit' is great and it makes you feel like part of the action and adds a great deal to the production. Jonathan Cake is fabulous as Coriolanus, he is able to portray the arrogant man that Coriolanus is supposed to be. And The Globe....what a theatre, stepping back into it you feel like you are taken back in time, it is not just about the play, but also about the venue, and it is just wonderful! - 81.168.117.85) | 11 May 06 |
| What a great first night. A real theatrical treat. The stage extends into the area occupied by the groundlings who become the people of Rome. Hectored, harangued, flattered, and beseeched, the audience's involvement is immediate and constant as actors smeared with bloood fight inches from them. The atmosphere is electric, energetic and dangerous. A great play performed with great verve and passion. A great introduction for those who have not seen Shakespeare performed in this wonderful setting. - 194.73.217.241) | 08 May 06 |
