Shakespeare in Parktown
PARKTOWN - The National Children’s Theatre has brought one of Shakespeare's political tragedies to life.
The National Children’s Theatre in Parktown will present a nationwide touring production of William Shakespeare’s political tragedy, Coriolanus, which aims to assist this year’s matriculants in preparation for their final Independent Examinations Board (IEB) English exam.
Coriolanus tells the story of a vicious warrior and his attempts to find his place in Rome as a soldier, a political leader, and as a civilian. The warrior returns home to a famine-stricken Rome after years of living on the battlefield. He is reluctantly convinced to run for a membership on the Roman Counsel in order to bring a resolution to Rome.
He does not achieve election due to political power games and the rising civil strife, and the conflict results in his banishment from his home and family to Corioli, the Volscen city of his sworn enemy. In a wave of vengeance and hate, the main character vows to destroy the Volscens, eventually resulting in his inevitable death.
Shakespeare’s ability to create a universal play that transcends time and place results in an interesting reflection of South Africa’s political and class conflicts. Coriolanus challenges us to stand back and question whether we can truly trust our elected leaders to represent us and do what is in our best interest.
The Coriolanus touring troupe has already visited IEB schools in Polokwane, KwaZulu-Natal, Swaziland and Nelspruit. For the next three months, this production will travel over 8 000 kilometres visiting IEB schools in Johannesburg.
Details: www.nationalchildrenstheatre.org.za
