This new edition of Shakespeare's gripping political and personal tragedy, developed by and for the RSC, includes new interviews with acclaimed directors Gregory Doran and David Farr, looks at specific productions in the play's history, and an illuminating introduction by acclaimed scholar Jonathan Bate.

Introduction .- About the Text .- Key Facts .- The Tragedy of Coriolanus .- Textual Notes .- Scene-by-scene Analysis .- Coriolanus in Performance: the RSC and Beyond .- Four Centuries of Coriolanus: An Overview .- At the RSC .- The Director's Cut: interviews with Gregory Doran and David Farr .- Shakespeare's Career in the Theatre .- Shakespeare's Works: A Chronology.- The History Behind the Tragedies: A Chronology .- Further Reading and Viewing .- References .- Acknowledgements and Picture Credits

Jonathan Bate writes with as much elegance as insight about the making of theatre and the creation of the plays.'- Richard Eyre, Sunday Telegraph From the Royal Shakespeare Company - a fresh new edition of Shakespeare's gripping political and personal tragedyTHIS EDITION INCLUDES: • An illuminating introduction to Coriolanus by award-winning scholar Jonathan Bate• The play - with clear and authoritative explanatory notes on each page• A helpful scene-by-scene analysis and key facts about the play• An introduction to Shakespeare's career and the Elizabethan theatre• A rich exploration of approaches to staging the play featuring photographs of key productionsThe most enjoyable way to understand a Shakespeare play is to see it or participate in it. This unique edition presents a historical overview of Coriolanus in performance, recommends film versions, takes a detailed look at specific productions and includes interviews with two leading directors – Gregory Doran and David Farr – so that we may get a sense of the extraordinary variety of interpretations that are possible, a variety that gives Shakespeare his unique capacity to be reinvented and made 'our contemporary' four centuries after his death. Ideal for students, theatre-goers, actors and general readers, the RSC Shakespeare plays offer an accessible and contemporary approach to reading and rediscovering Shakespeare's works for the twenty-first century.

An exemplary introduction to Coriolanus by award-winning scholar Sir Jonathan BateThe play – with clear and authoritative explanatory notes on each pageA helpful scene-by-scene analysis and key facts about the playA rich exploration of approaches to staging the playPhotographs of classic or unusual performances illustrate different interpretations open to actors or directorsInterviews with two leading directors: Gregory Doran and David FarrAn introduction to Shakespeare's career and the Elizabethan theatreA key facts 'box' summarizing the plot, major roles, language and sourcesA clear, single-column page designRecommendations for further reading on key critical approaches and the play in performance, along with recommended viewing

Developed in association with the Royal Shakespeare Company and edited by renowned Shakespeare scholars Jonathan Bate and Eric Rasmussen, The RSC Shakespeare series is home to the stunning The RSC Shakespeare: The Complete Works as well as editions of all 36 individual plays included in William Shakespeare's First Folio. Each volume contains: - Interviews with acclaimed directors and actors, including Gregory Doran and Adrian Noble - Illuminating introductions by acclaimed scholar Jonathan Bate - Insights into specific productions from each play's history - Outstanding on-page notes and scene-by-scene analysis Ideal for students, theatre-goers, actors and general readers, the RSC Shakespeare editions offer an accessible and contemporary approach to reading and rediscovering Shakespeare’s works for the 21st century.