Shakespeare's penetrating portrayal of political turmoil in a society at war with itself.


The Plot
There's widespread famine in Rome, which is causing tension between the common people and the patricians (the aristocrats). The people particularly hate Caius Martius, the arrogant son of Volumnia, and the feeling is mutual. The citizens think the patricians are hoarding corn for themselves. They rise up, and are given two people's representatives (tribunes) who will sit in the Senate. The unrest is halted by war with neighbouring Volscians. In the battle of Corioli, Caius Martius leads the army to victory and is honoured with the name Coriolanus.

When they get back to Rome, the patricians insist Coriolanus gains the consulship (the highest elected office). To do this, he has to make a public display of humility in front of the citizens, which he attempts, but is unable to mask his contempt for them. The citizens banish Coriolanus from Rome. In revenge, Coriolanus joins with his former enemies, the Volscians, and they march on Rome.

It is only through the intervention of Coriolanus's wife, mother and son that he halts the attack. Peace returns, but Coriolanus is killed by the Volscians.

Coriolanus . . . Trystan Gravelle
Volumnia . . . Diana Rigg
Menenius . . . James Fleet
Cominius . . . Paul Hilton
Sicinius . . . Tony Turner
Brutus . . . Joel MacCormack
Lartius . . . David Hounslow
Aufidius . . . Ray Fearon
Virgilia . . . Clare Corbett
Valeria . . . Susan Jameson
Gentlewoman . . . Franchi Webb
with
Michael Bertenshaw, Kenny Blyth, Joseph Ayre and Christopher Harper

Directed by Marc Beeby

Originally aired on BBC Radio 3.