'What is the city but the people?'

When drought and failing harvests bring unrest to the streets, Rome’s citizens direct their anger at Caius Martius and his fellow ruling classes for withholding grain to drive up prices.

A victorious display on the battlefield grants Martius hero status and the title ‘Coriolanus’, but a disdain for playing the political game brings him into conflict with both the elites and the public. As a power struggle erupts, old hierarchies crumble and a race to control critical resources begins.

Returning to the RSC following her acclaimed 2023 production of The Tempest, Elizabeth Freestone directs Damien Molony (Bergerac, Two Weeks in August) as Coriolanus, reimagining Shakespeare's political tragedy through the lens of populism, societal instability and resource scarcity in a turbulent world. 

For more information on the themes and content of the play please visit our content advisory page.

CAST

Coriolanus Damien Molony

CREATIVES

Director Elizabeth Freestone | Set and Co-Costume Designer Tom Piper | Co-Costume Designer Natasha Ward | Lighting Designer Oliver Fenwick | Composer and Sound Designer Adrienne Quartly | Movement Director Sarita Piotrowski | Fight Director Kev McCurdy | Casting Director Matthew Dewsbury CDG

BOOKING INFORMATION

Priority booking opens for all newly announced productions:

Artists Circle / Gold Patrons Monday 5 October
Silver Patrons Wednesday 7 October
Bronze Patrons Thursday 8 October
Members Wednesday 14 October
Subscribers Tuesday 20 October
Public Booking Wednesday 21 October

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Coriolanus is supported by RSC Production Circle supporter Shriti Vadera

The RSC Acting Companies are generously supported by The Gatsby Charitable Foundation