Coriolanus

A BBC Radio Shakespeare production

By: William Shakespeare

Narrated by: Adrian Dunbar, Full Cast, Kenneth Cranham, Samuel West, Susannah York

In this BBC full-cast production of Coriolanus, allies and enemies become blurred just as Rome is in sight...

Coriolanus tells of a proud Roman general who captures the town Corioli but subsequently falls from favour with the Roman people. He allies himself with the Volscians and leads an attack on Rome, but allegiances are won and lost before the final tragic end.

Starring Samuel West as Coriolanus and Susannah York as Volumnia.

BBC radio has a unique heritage when it comes to Shakespeare. Since 1923, when the newly-formed company broadcast its first full-length play, generations of actors and producers have honed and perfected the craft of making Shakespeare to be heard.

In this acclaimed BBC Radio Shakespeare series, each play is introduced by Richard Eyre, former Director of the Royal National Theatre. Revitalised, original and comprehensive, this is Shakespeare for the modern day.

© and (P)2003 BBC Worldwide Ltd

Tricky play, wonderful Volumnia.

CORIOLANUS is a notoriously difficult play, never much beloved by American audiences. The thorny protagonist can seem cold and off-putting; the political arguments dense and formal. Still, though, this is one of Shakespeare's most exciting and provocative plays. Give it a chance. Unfortunately this recording suffers from a lead performance that never really takes off emotionally. Thankfully, the Volumnia of Susannah York is a formidable titan. This is a very clear and concise version of the play -- even if it lacks the granduer and emotion of the great Richard Burton recording which is, alas, currently only available on cassette.

unfinished

playback stopped with 29:20 to finish ... unable to finish listening ... very very discouraging