By William Shakespeare
Directed by Charles McMahon

Famine threatens Rome, and the people's hunger swells to an appetite for political change. A war hero from a powerful family, Coriolanus seems destined to be elected consul – but the people find his pride an unforgivable insult, exploding the long-simmering tensions between the fracturing state's governing elite and deprived masses. This timely story of radical class division is also a compelling psychological portrait of Coriolanus and his politically savvy mother, Volumnia, played by internationally acclaimed actress, director, and author Tina Packer.

Coriolanus is the fourth and final installment in our Plays from the Lantern Archives series, which celebrates some of the finest productions from recent Lantern seasons, brought vividly back to life on screen. This performance was professionally filmed with a live theater audience in April 2017.

Chris Anthony as Titus Lartius/Ensemble  •  David Bardeen as Sicinius/Ensemble  •  Mary Lee Bednarek as Virgilia/Ensemble  •  Kirk Wendell Brown as Cominius/Ensemble  •  Charlie DelMarcelle as Aufidius/Ensemble  •  Leonard C. Haas as Brutus/Ensemble  •  Adam Hammet as Ensemble  •  Robert Lyons as Coriolanus  •  Brian McCann as Menenius/Ensemble  •  Tina Packer as Volumnia  •  Han Van Sciver as Valeria/Ensemble  •  Brock D. Vickers as Ensemble

Meghan Jones, Scenic Designer  •  Janus Stefanowicz, Costume Designer  •  Drew Billiau, Lighting Designer  •  Robert Kaplowitz, Sound Designer & Composer  •  Michael Long, Projection Designer  •  J. Alex Cordaro, Fight Director  •  Rebecca Smith, Stage Manager

"A total theatrical experience... Coriolanus is a masterpiece all the same. Hence it is a delight to report that Philadelphia's Lantern Theater Company is webcasting a broadcast-quality archival video of a live performance of a small-scale 12-actor 2017 production – one that is, like the similarly scaled Lantern staging of The Tempest that I reviewed in this space last month, outstanding in every way." –Terry Teachout, The Wall Street Journal   more

"Spellbinding! A fine ensemble cast... Robert Lyons [makes] his debut at the Lantern with a beautifully crafted, volcanic performance. Tina Packer is quite simply one of the finest classical actors on the planet. Charles McMahon contrasts the elements of thrilling physical theater with scenes of such stillness, framing some of Shakespeare's most brilliant dialogue cycles and equally memorable (and largely forgotten) soliloquies. This is riveting theater." –The Huffington Post   more

"Charles McMahon brings out the play's most urgent themes in his superb, dynamic production of Coriolanus. The performances are superior without exception. Robert Lyons...makes his Lantern debut in an explosive turn as Coriolanus. He's well matched by Chris Anthony as...Titus Lartius. But the evening belonged to Tina Packer, utterly mesmerizing as Volumnia. A stage mother from hell, she's alternately seductive, cloying, vicious, and servile in her attempts to manipulate her son. Packer makes us believe she could single-handedly rule Rome." –The Philadelphia Inquirer

"Viscerally thrilling! The show retains many of the virtues we've come to expect of McMahon's often-lauded Shakespeare series – clarity in the narrative, imaginative choreography, the pluses of seeing a work like this in an intimate space, and a hard-working ensemble who play multiple roles with commitment and skill. As seen here, in an appealing performance by Robert Lyons, Coriolanus himself is uncommonly sympathetic. Another highly distinctive factor here – and a very positive one – is the presence of Tina Packer as Volumnia, Coriolanus' shall-we-say complicated mother. Packer's presence is a lovely confirmation of something local audiences can feel proud of: the best of Lantern's Shakespeare is very fine indeed, and the company has helped bring the Philadelphia theater scene to national prominence." –Philadelphia Magazine

"With a strong cast and design wizards the Lantern has made Coriolanus a visceral, lively and thought-provoking experience that's not to be missed." –Phindie

"This play about hubris and revenge is almost unbearably current. Yet Shakespeare wrote every word, beautifully delivered from a sparkling cast headed by Robert Lyons as Coriolanus." –WHYY News

"In a smart and engaging take on the complexities of politics in an uncertain world, the Lantern Theater's Coriolanus unflinchingly demonstrates that in difficult times there are no easy solutions, yet this more than ever requires individuals to act on their ideals." –PlayShakespeare.com

"Lantern Theater Company's fascinating production of Coriolanus is filled with vivid performances and keen insights into the political process, no matter what the era. A great opportunity to see this fascinating rarity." –DC Metro Theater Arts

"Powerful! With remarkable timing, Lantern Theater in Philadelphia has brought to their stage a true tour de force about leadership, a fast paced yet completely accessible production of William Shakespeare's Coriolanus to remind us yet again why we need the theater arts and how after four centuries the Bard of Avon can still speak to us in a modern voice." –The Ticket

"So well done that it should be required viewing for all theater-goers, Shakespeare fans and non-devotees alike. The Lantern continues to uphold its tradition of producing incomparable Shakespearean productions." –Beyond My Backyard