European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 26, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Politics and the general a tragedy worthy of Shakespeare by Edward Karam staff writer Hen Toby Stephens strides across the stage of the Swan theatre in Stratford on Avon in England one of the Hometown playwright s most difficult characters comes alive. The roman general coriolanus is probably Shakespeare s least likeable hero. But Stephens scornful fearless physically imposing clearly has the spark to inspire loyalty from legions. You Don t want to be on the wrong Side of his Battlefield. Military heroes Are in Vogue on the stages at Stratford this summer. Maybe it has something to do with a Day celebrations for you can see not Only coriolanus but Henry v As Wel i. Most americans know Henry from Kenneth Branagh s rousing 1989 film version or perhaps Laurence Olivier s 1944 film. Few will be familiar with coriolanus ironically it is coriolanus that is More intriguing thanks to Stephens thrilling performance. Director David Thacker and designer fran Thompson have updated the action to the French revolution to emphasize the Gulf Between Rich and poor but the dialogue storyline and the Basic conflict Are unchanged. Coriolanus victorious Over Rome s enemies the vols ians is picked by the patrician senators to stand for Consul. By tradition however the common people must approve him but coriolanus scorns the rabble. Whenever they Are called up to fight the enemy they turn and run yet they demand Corn from the City s storehouses. Coriolanus has More affection for his deadly enemy a Fidius the vols Ian Leader. Worse the general is an innocent in the political Arena. Luckily he has the wily senator Merenius to look after him. The resonant voiced Philip Voss makes an eloquent Mentor As Merenius Maneu vers coriolanus toward the Consulship. But the two tribunes elected As the people s representatives to the Senate fear coriolanus. After the mob approves him the tribunal spi meisters convince the peasants to renege. Coriolanus erupts in fury but the mob forces him into exile. Bad move. Coriolanus makes peace with a Fidius and together they March against Rome.  it s a classic Case of the military Man Toby Stephens As coriolanus is hoisted on the shoulders of two citizens in this shakespearean play updated to the French revolution. Who adheres to a code of Honor being done in by political skulduggery. Stephens the son of actress Maggie Smith is Only 25, but he commands the Swan s Small stage. He shows that coriolanus disdain does t Stem from vanity but from principles that he just can t Compromise. His Only weak spot is his Mother. Volumnia Caroline Blakiston has a Warrior s genes. She keeps tally of the play coriolanus theater Royal Shakespeare co., Stratford on Avon ticket prices 8.50 to 28 pounds dates throw i january 1995 Telephone 44 789-295623. Scars her son earns and she can push his buttons. After coriolanus outburst at the fickle mob she and Merenius insist that he soothe the peasants to put things right. He refuses and volumnia throws her own Tantrum and stalks off. In a telling moment Stephens suddenly melts into a boy seeking approval loping out of the House and calling Back Over his shoulder look Moon thery i m  although Blakiston is a Shade too vulnerable As volumnia Voss is a witty Merenius and Barry Lynch sporting a. Scar from Temple to Chin is a darkly cautious a Fidius. The last moments As the lights dim and he fumbling by grasps coriolanus bloodied body Are a tragedy for him As Well. Meanwhile another impressive Young actor lain Glen plays the Lead role in Henry von Stratford s main stage. The Story is much More straightforward Henry wants to conquer lands in France that he thinks belong to him. Glen is extremely Good As the Monarch obsessed with Justice from his claim to French land to punishing treason. Again a code of Honor operates for this Leader. When the French violate the rules of War by killing the youngsters in the Camp Henry is ruthless in his retaliation and orders All French prisoners throats Cut. Although director Matthew Warchus has staged exciting Battle scenes on the grim Smoky set this production is Long. By the time the charming wooing scene Between Henry and the French Princess arrives just at the end you la just want it Over with. Still Glen like Stephens is an actor with a riveting presence when in a Low voice he delivers the St. Crispin s Day speech before the Battle of Agincourt and describes the shame that will be Felt by those who did not fight and were not there everyone who remembers the veterans of a Day will recognize the truth in it in the wings auditions Germany Bamberg the bar Borg entertainment Branch will hold auditions Tor the musical cabaret of sept. 7-8 at 6 . At the stable theater. Also auditions Tor the fled shoes will be oct 12-13 at 6 . For More information Call Dan 469-8647. Glessen the new Kilter theater is holding auditions or dial m for murder on sept 11-12 at 7 . Fhe men one women backstage hands and technical assistants Are needed. For. Details Call Dan 343-6515, or civilian 0641-402-6515. Frankfurt Frankfurt playhouse is holding auditions Tor the musical lost in Yonkers on aug. 20-30 at 7 pm Tor two men three women and two boys Ages 11 -16 years old. For details Call Dan 320-5635. Schweinfurt auditions for the Ledward entertainment Center s production of the 1940s radio hour Are being held through sept 9. Interested individuals should Call Dan 354 6460. Performances Germany Darmstadt Tutte shop of horrors is being presented at the playhouse on Ernst to data Cavern at 8 . On sept 2-3,9-10,16-17,23-24 and 30, plus oct 1,7-8,14-15. There Are also 3 . Matinees scheduled for sept 11,18 and 25, and oct 2,9 and 10 a dinner theater will be at the Trade winds dub in Babenhausen on oct 22. For details Call Dan 348-7336, or civilian 06561-25924. Frankfurt the Frankfurt playhouse and dinner theatre presents and the world goes round sept 9-10,16-17,23-24, 29-30 and oct 1. For details Call Dan 320-5835. Schweinfurt the Plasa menagerie is being presented at Ledward entertainment Center on sept 23,24,30 and oct 1 at 7 30 . Call Dan 354-6460 for details. Worms Man of la Mancha is being presented by the Worms performing arts Center every weekend Between sept 22 and oct 22, for details Call Dan 383-7209/6269, or civilian 06241 487209/8269. London West end Adalpho Sunset Boulevard musical 071 836-9578 albeit lady win Dormer s fan comedy. 071 369-1730 a Wych an inspector Calls play. 071 836-6404 ambassadors the cryptogram play. 071 836-6111 Apollo Victoria Starlight express musical 071 828-8665 barbican theatre and the pit theatre Royal Shakespeare company performances vary. 071 638-8891 coliseum English National opera varied productions 071 8363161 comedy the Miracle worker play. 071 867-1045 criterion the flying Karamazov Brothers enter Talmont. Through sept 3. 071 839-4488 comedy tha Miracle worker play. 071 867-1045 Dominion grease musical. 071 580-8845 Donar warehouse Glengarry Glen Ross play. 071 867 1150drury Lane miss Saigon musical. 071 836-5000 Duchess Don t dress for dinner comedy. 071 494-5075 Duke of Yorks the Rocky horror show musical. 071 836 5122 Fortune the woman in Black thriller. 071 836-2238 Garrick Tho Canterbury tales comedy. 071 494-5085 Globe the win Slowboy comedy. 071 494-5067 Haymarket Arcadia play. 071 930-8800 her majesty a the phantom of the opera ads local. 071 494-5400london palladium fiddler on the roof musical ends sept Betty Buckley and John Barrowman in a scene from Sunset Boulevard 3. Oll Verl musical opens nov. 3. 071 494-5020 Lyric five Guys named Moe musical. 071 494-5045 National theatre various repertory productions 071 928 2252 new London cats musical. 071 404-4079 the old Vic 900oneonta, play. 071 928-7616 open air varied repertory theater. 071 486-2431 Palace Les its durables musical. 071 434-0909 Phoenix blood Brothers musical 071 867-1044 Prince Edward crazy for you musical. 071 734-8951 Prince of Wales Copacabana musical. 071 839-5987 Queens what a performance musical previews from oct. 5, opens oct 12. 071 494-5041 Royal court repertory theater varied Bill. 071 730-1745 Royal opera House the Royal opera. 071 240-1066 Sadler s Wells varied performances. 071 278-8916 St Martins Tho Mousetrap mystery. 071 836-1443 Savoy she loves m0, musical. 071 836-8888 strand St. Joan play. 071 930-8800 vaudeville dead funny comedy. 071 836-9987 Victoria Palace buddy musical. 071 834-1317 Whitehall Patsy clone musical. 071 369-1735 Wyndham a Artwey Valentine play. 071 867-1116 Telephone numbers include the code or London. Reservations also can be made through itt recreation centers and travel agents. This information la provided by the society of West end theatre and is subject to change. Friday August 26,1994 the stars and stripes 23