Coriolanus
Coriolanus, Roman General and newly appointed Consul, must decide which is most important to him: Honor, or pride?
At a Glance
War • Family • Classical Setting • Tyranny • Politics
As famine threatens Rome, tensions rise between the common populace and the country’s elite. After valiantly defeating an invading army, General Meneius Agrippa earns his title of Coriolanus. But Coriolanus’ refusal to stand with the Roman populace only fuels rising tensions between the people and the elite of Rome.
Following a public argument between the General and his people, Coriolanus is expelled from his home—and he rushes to meet with the enemy. Coriolanus must decide which is more important to him: Honor, or pride?
Sean San José enthusiastically gravitated toward this play for translation. “Coriolanus is [a] tough task,” he says, “in theme, length, and language. But it also reads and rings true to me. It is messy, about morality and morals, people and politics.” In his introduction to the publication, José asks, “How do we break open some of the words, the lines, the logic, so it is not a battle to hear the meaning? How do we make it more accessible in many ways? I loved that idea. Had Shakespeare been accessible to me, maybe I would not feel as far from it on the surface.”
Play On Podcasts
Coriolanus
Translation by Sean San José
Directed by Kate Wisniewski
Dive into ancient Rome where General Caius Martius (soon-to-be-named Coriolanus) calls for an end to democracy in the midst of a tumultuous relationship between the people of Rome and the aristocracy. Brimming with political unrest, war, and questionable leadership, Coriolanus asks us to consider in what ways has history repeated itself to this day? Featuring an all-women and non-binary cast, get ready to experience Coriolanus like you never have before.
Paperback & eBooks
Coriolanus
By William Shakespeare
Translation by Sean San José
A powerfully topical new translation of Shakespeare’s study of military power and political folly.
Bay Area director, actor, and producer Sean San José takes on the themes of power and politics in his version of Coriolanus, Shakespeare’s exploration of militaristic might and political folly. San José’s take on this little-known classic reimagines the text to be spoken by and for a community of “others.” The translation, which brings Shakespeare’s language into our era, rendering its thematic and dramatic power broadly accessible, is powered by a reexamination of populism in our current political moment.
Production History
Jan 9, 2018
Translation Workshop
Work session with full cast in NYC.
June 26, 2019
Play On! Festival NYC
Rehearsal and Staged Reading directed by Jeff Whitty with full cast as part of the Play On! Translation Festival in NYC.
Produced by:
Play On! / Classic Stage / Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Apr 24, 2020
FIRST READS: An Online Educational Series
A livestreamed exploration of Coriolanus featuring actors from across the country under the direction of Raphael Massie.
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