My next review is also from the National Theatre. However this time in the Olivier theatre, the largest of the three stages at the national. The play in question is William Shakespeare’s “Coriolanus”. Which just highlights how diverse the NT scehuleing is. This production is currently in previews with opening night (Press night) Tuesday the 24th. It will be running at the Olivier until 9th November 2024.
Tonight I watched the show as part of a Young patron club night. Which means I got a pre show drink event in which I had an opportunity to speak to the NT development staff and other patrons. The NT development team not only look after the Patron and supporters but also provide an amazing insight into both the production in question and also the NT as a whole. During the pre show drinks I was pre warned how brilliant this production was with the comments of “how it’s makes Shakespeare accessible from the start”, “it received a standing ovation on preview night one” and even someone stating “the best Shakespeare production I have ever seen”. Spoiler, in hind sight I don’t not disagree one bit. This was also the best Shakespeare production I have seen. And I will explain why as we go through this review.
With these amazing comments ringing in my ears I entered the auditorium with sudden unexpected high hopes. I took my seat in K 25 within the stalls of the Olivier theatre, for another 19:00 show start. With the show being two hours and fourty five minutes long, once again the early start time was very much appreciated.
Before I start discussing this production in particular. I feel I should provide a caviate that I am not a Shakespeare expert and even though I have seen multiple production of the years. I do not claim to be a Shakespeare expert. Because of this I had not seen any other productions of this particular play, I am aware there is Tom Hiddleston production which was recorded for NT Live. Which according to some is much gorier than this version. As a result I did not know what this story of the play was so once again was seeing a play (especially at the National) totally blind.
This production starts in a Museum type scene with lots of Roman relics on display. The props department at the NT really has outdone themselves with these relics. They really do look like they have been taken directly out of a real museum. I was trustfully informed that the large cat like statue was in fact made from polystyrene however looks like solid bronze.
Shortly after this we are thrusted upon a number of very intense fight sequences. I have to call them sequences rather than a scene as a scene does not do it justice. The intensity and full out action rivals any Hollywood action film. The physicality of the fight is like no other I have seen on stage. The choreography and actual combat was unbelievable. This was tied with some amazing lighting and music which made these fights scenes a highlight of the whole production and one of the best theatrical experiences I have seen. The way they are able to replicate a slow motion film action sequence live on stage is second to none.
It is at this point we are exposed to the rivalry between Coriolanus being portrayed by David Oyelowo (More on him later) and Aufidius played by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith. Who for me along with David were stand outs of the show. Kobna performance was amazing throughout this production.
The set design and scene transfers throughout this whole show is amazing. The large concrete looking pillars are brought up and down to create the different scenes sets throughout the production. While also allowing very slick scene changes to occur behind them without them looking out of place in the scene. Each time they move you are exitcted to see what they will reveal. It means there is no sliding set pieces across the stage which allows the whole stage to seemlessly blend into the Olivier auditorium. Due to the nature of the NT concrete building and the set design it becomes difficult to know where the stage ends and the auditorium starts. Which makes this already large stage (the biggest of the NT) seems huge however the action does not get lost as the production is a huge as the staging.
The play moves onto to Coriolanus victorious home coming. It is here we are introduced to some other principle cast members. It was at this stage of the production that I had to remind my self that this was a Shakespeare play. I was so surprised how quickly I was into “Shakespeare mode”. Especially compared to previous productions I have seen, I sometimes struggled to get into the “Shakespeare mode” and sometimes the dialog never clicks. However this production was the opposite within thirty minutes I was consumed and the language was not a barrier at all. Making this a truly accessible Shakespeare production.
The victorious and hero status for Coriolanus was somewhat short lived. As the play moves to a senate meeting of the Rome leaders which quickly deteriates into a mass public forum. It is within this forum that Coriolanus goes from hero to zero as the Rome leaders have convinced the general public that Coriolanus is in fact a traitor. This creates one of the two amazing mother and son moments from which Volumnia played by Pamela Nomvete. Who was absolutely amazing being able to portray this powerful, infulantail mother and women. Who also becomes such a major part of the story. Pamela was amazing throughout the whole show really embracing the power behind this female character. Not only in the scenes with her son but in the scenes of defence of him proving she has no fear when it comes to her family. I don’t believe I have seen Pamela in any other shows but she is definitely someone I will look out for in the future. Volumnia provided her influence over this number one solider by convincing him to return to talk to the general people who had unexpectedly turned on him.
This successful talk around sees us end act one with a press conference in which Coriolanus erupts with great destain for the general people. The use of modern technology with live camera feeds from the on stage cast being projected onto the impressive set really making the audience feel they are in a modern press conference another example of normalising this Shakespeare dialog. The use of projection throughout the show is amazing. This use of projection starts as soon as you enter the auditorium before curtain up. Projection is not heavily used in every scene. However when it is, it adds an extra dynamic along with the tension building music. Throughout many parts of the production you feel totally absorbed by the projection and music. It is also used brilliantly during the scene transfers.
During the interval if you stay in the auditorium you are given an opportunity to see once again the amazing props that make up the relics. I recommended having your bathroom and bar break quickly in order to see the brilliant stage management rearrange these amazing props while you wait for the second act.
The second act opens with Coriolanus having to leave Rome after being banished due to the aftermath of the press conference. With Coriolanus gone, it is up to Volumnia to defend her son against everyone as mentioned before another stand out scene by Pamela Nomvete. We are quickly then transported to the residence of Aufidius in which Coriolanus enters via the kitchen. This part of the play concludes with the two once enemy’s forgiving each other to now become potentially friends or at least allies. Another opportunity for David and Kobna to perform together on stage and really highlight their great talents.
With this new “United front” the leaders of Rome are concerned as news arrives that Coriolanus and Aufidius have joined forces. This forces many of the general public who turned on Coriolanus in act one to start retracting their previous negative opinion. This worries the leaders of Rome which prompts the attempt to prevent such a take over. First the father figure is sent however to no prevail. The last resort is the women of Coriolanus life appear with his son in attempt to talk him round. This produces the second mother and son conversation. Again highlighting the power and importance of the mother, female character of this play.
The play heads to a conclusion of Corlionaus return as persuaded by his mother however he meets a tragic end. No real surprise as this play is a Shakespeare tragedy. A very intense finale of the people turning and this time physically on Coriolanus. The final scene is a very wholesome conclusion scene in which he is now a relic in a Muesem being visited by a young a child.
I have purposely left my review of David Oyelowo until the end. There is always questions and comments when a “Hollywood” actor appears in the west end especially at the National Theatre and even more so when attempted Shakespeare. However in this case he was great and should not raise any questions. He is a natural on the stage and able to embody Corlionaus and the Shakespeare script effortlessly. Again another reason I feel this production makes Shakespeare so accessible. He is up there with some of the best actors of Shakespeare I have seen including Kinnear and Lester. I hope it isn’t long before we see David Oyelowo treading the boards again on either side of the pond.
Overall if it isn’t clear already I really enjoyed this production and as a result I give it 4 out of 5 stars. Which really surprises me for a Shakespeare play. I highly recommend you see this production even if you’re not a Shakespeare fan or think it’s too dawnting. See THIS show if it’s only for the staging and fight scenes, you have to see David perform live. I highly expect there will be a NT Live recodering of this if I am right make sure you see it.
A SPURDLE reviews 