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Coriolanus: Pride, Politics, and a Modern Misfire
16 Feb
Summary
- Play mirrors society's disdain for democracy and protest.
- Modern staging uses digital surveillance and video game aesthetics.
- Gender-swapped Aufidius dilutes the tragedy's homoerotic tension.
Shakespeare's "The Tragedy of Coriolanus" delves into the fall of a proud Roman general who defies civilian politics. The play's themes of public protest, disdain for democracy, and political unrest resonate strongly with modern times.
Ash K. Tata's production for Theater for a New Audience, however, falters in translating these potent themes to the stage. The staging incorporates digital surveillance aesthetics and video game-like imagery, which distract from the play's intrinsic power.
Key elements, such as the intense quasi-romantic bond between Coriolanus and his rival Aufidius, are significantly altered. Casting a woman as Aufidius, while an interesting choice, diminishes the tragedy's exploration of masculinity and homoerotic tension.
Despite some comedic moments, the production's tragic core falls flat. The performance runs through March 1 at the Polonsky Shakespeare Center in Brooklyn.
