Shakespeare Magazine 9
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Coriolanus<br />
the sparse set and costume design<br />
maintained a brutal simplicity.<br />
While Hiddleston’s performance<br />
made the character a success, the<br />
supporting cast made the production<br />
a success. Perhaps best known as<br />
Mycroft in Sherlock, Mark Gatiss<br />
played Menenius as the politician you<br />
could love, while the tribunes Brutus and<br />
Sicinia (Elliot Levey and Helen Schlesinger)<br />
lent an Iago-like conspiratorial feel to their<br />
conniving conversations. As much as the<br />
audience hated them, we couldn’t help being<br />
drawn into their plans.<br />
Almost a year since seeing the<br />
production, many moments remain<br />
seared in my mind. Coriolanus dripping<br />
blood after the battle, physically and<br />
emotionally exhausted. Menenius losing his<br />
unquenchable optimism and determination<br />
12 SHAKESPEARE magazine<br />
Hiddleston’s<br />
Coriolanus at his<br />
blood-drenched<br />
zenith.<br />
after his failed intervention with Coriolanus.<br />
Aufidius (Hadley Fraser) shrewdly eyeing<br />
his enemy and choosing to forge a vengeful<br />
alliance. Volumnia facing down her son<br />
when all the men have given up hope.<br />
Ultimately, this production proves<br />
that Coriolanus deserves a place among<br />
<strong>Shakespeare</strong>’s other great tragedies. And that<br />
Tom Hiddleston has the power to dominate<br />
the stage as well as the screen.
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