King Lear, National Theatre Live

Fancy Shakespeare at the cinema, with all the goodness of a live performance? I recently enjoyed King Lear down at my local Vue, all thanks to National Theatre Live.

Lear is one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, and tells the story of the King and his daughters. At the height of his powerful reign, Lear asks all three girls to tell him how much they love him, and that whoever can prove their love is the greatest will be rewarded the highest. Goneril and Regan battle to outdo each other but when he turns to his youngest and favourite daughter Cordelia she refuses to take part, saying her love cannot be measured and described in such a way. Lear is outraged and Cordelia is disowned and banished. In the years that follow loyalties will be tested as Lear ages and his dominance begins to crumble.

Directed by Sam Mendes, King Lear was performed by some great talent. Simon Russell Beale took the title role with support from a cast that included Anna Maxwell Martin, Adrian Scarborough and Stanley Townsend - all familiar faces of British stages and screens. On the 1^st May, whilst they were performing live at the National Theatre, the production was being streamed and shown in cinemas nationwide. Sadly we didn’t make it on the night, but caught it a few weeks later when it was re-broadcast. It was an amazing experience, as you’re witnessing the prop changes and staging of the theatre, with the close-ups and camera angles of film. Also during the interval, we sat watching the live theatre audience in real-time, getting their ice creams and popping to the loo, but then after our break, we had a short series of interviews from Mendes and the cast.

It goes without saying that the cast were superb, all completely capable of taking on a Shakespearean classic, but Simon Russell Beale was simply mesmerising, in a role that has you loathing him one second and full of sympathy the next. In the emotional rollercoaster that is King Lear, it’s no wonder that he is a two-time Olivier Award winner and has been described as the greatest stage actor of his generation. A play with such dark themes and a truly gruesome end hugely suited Mendes’ modern, industrial staging, and it also made it that bit easier to follow (which I have to say, I welcome!).

Sadly, Lear is now longer on at cinemas but you can see it live at the National until 2^nd July. However I’d highly recommend NT Live performances for a fun night out, as well as a more affordable alternative.

Coriolanus, Donmar Warehouse

Blood, guts, and a bit of hunky sword fighting - if you want gritty Shakespeare, get yourself down to the Donmar to see Tom Hiddleston star as Coriolanus.

Before last night I only knew Tom Hiddleston as Thor's evil brother Loki - pale, a bit weedy, and with a fierce streak of sibling rivalry. I also knew nothing about Coriolanus, except that it was a Shakespearean play about war and generals, and there had recently been a film adaptation starring Ralph Fiennes.

As whenever I go to the Donmar though, I was pretty sure I'd enjoy myself. The productions are usually of the highest standard, and we even had a bit of Hollywood glitz thrown in (a very welcome treat when you've been there as many times as I have!)

The play is based on the life of Roman general Caius Marcius Coriolanus. When Rome is threatened by war and famine, their hero is forced to step up and save the day. But after success, a power overdose, and some malicious manipulation from his rivals in government, his people rise against him, and he is forced to turn his back on those who hold him highest.

I'd built up an image of what to expect from Hiddleston's performance, but was instantly knocked back with his first steps on stage. He carried himself like a fighter and leader, and was much taller, broader and, um, "fitter" than I had previously realised. He spoke with such strength that, as a member of the audience, I was in awe and a little frightened all at the same time. As the lead character, he's really put through his paces in this role, both emotionally and physically. He did an incredible job, and deserves all those screaming girls outside the stage door (I saw this amusing meme online, but after witnessing the crowds last night, I don't disagree!)

I know I sound like a broken record, but every member of the cast was exceptional (maybe I'm just easily pleased, but I like to think I just have good taste in productions). Reading through their bios afterwards, I see there is a real mix of experienced and relatively unknown actors, but aside from recognisable faces, you wouldn't have known. They made an incredible acting body, with about half the cast even taking on multiple roles. Really, really impressive.

What also made Coriolanus so great was the staging. There are many routes that the costume department could have gone down, but apparently Roman story + Shakespearean play + 21st Century production = very nearly Steam Punk. No complaints from me! The props were simple but incredibly effective; in the main battle scene I felt all the Les-Mis-style drama and excitement with just a row of metal chairs, a ladder and the odd flare.

Well I won't spoil the ending, but by the time he was taking his final bow, Tom Hiddleston had a face full of blood, tears in his eyes, and a massive grin slapped across his face. We all leapt to our feet for him and his co-actors. What a performance! It may be tricky to get tickets for the Donmar performance, which ends on 8th February, but luckily for you, Coriolanus will also be broadcast on screen on 30th January by National Theatre Live. See their website for participating cinemas.