Shakespeare’s Coriolanus (Performed at the Donmar Warehouse): A Review

On Thursday 30th January, a streamed live performance of the critically acclaimed Shakespearean play Coriolanus, which was hosted within Covent Garden’s Donmar Warehouse, swept cinemas across the country.

The performance, directed by Josie Rourke, was truly memorable and exhilarating. By employing renowned actors such as Tom Hiddleston (The Avengers) and Mark Gatiss (Sherlock) the play was able to attract a phenomenally large audience, who were able to watch the play either at the Donmar Warehouse itself, or simply at their local cinemas.

Tom Hiddleston as Coriolanus

Shakespeare’s 17^th century play of Coriolanus is centralised around the main character of Caius Marcius Coriolanus, who prides himself upon his arrogance and courage in battle. The citizens of Rome continually hold a grudge against Caius Marcius, believing that he prevented the citizens from accessing the city’s grain store, which later leads to riots and uproar among the public when he aids Rome in winning over the city of Corioles and is allowed the opportunity to run for the role of consul. For winning the city of Corioles, Caius  Marcius is bestowed the new title of Coriolanus, who due to his distaste for the lower class Plebeians, is overthrown during his election and consequently exiled. Coriolanus then becomes allies with his previous Volscian enemy Aufidius and the two arrange an assault on Rome, which results in the city, out of desperation, sending Coriolanus’ mother Volumnia to dissuade Coriolanus from continuing the attack. Coriolanus then eventually listens to his mother and forms a peace treaty; however Aufidius deems such an act to be betrayal and treason to their agreement, resulting in Aufidius organising assassins who successfully kill Coriolanus.


Hiddleston performed the role of Coriolanus with excelling aptitude, with support from the special effects team which most certainly did not go unnoticed. Coriolanus’ mother, Volumnia (Deborah Findlay), takes a macabre pride in her son’s wounds and war reputation, believing that his blood “more becomes a man than gilt his trophy”. This theme of the honourability of shed blood was dramatically emphasised in Rourke’s performance, with the use of bloody make-up and costumes which were so prominent and realistic that the hearts of even our somewhat jaded 21^st century audience were nevertheless still tactfully struck.

As a member of the cinema audience I developed shivers as Hiddleston’s Coriolanus stepped onto the stage after returning from battle with the Volscians. Hiddleston’s body and face can only be described as simply saturated with blood, which continued to slowly drip from his chin as the scene continued. The cameras focused in on this, heightening the impact of the bloodthirsty nature of the play and providing a truly chilling experience. Alongside this, the Donmar Warehouse successfully adopted a somewhat modern touch to their production by employing modern music which played during scene transitions and digital projections of moving wall graffiti upon the stage backdrop, allowing an unusually effective yet eerie atmosphere to be created.

It can certainly be argued that the Donmar Warehouse’s production of Coriolanus was a success; the theatre itself has described the sheer size of the audience to be completely “unprecedented” and the play’s success was significantly reinforced by the fact that many members of the live audience were shown giving a standing ovation at the play’s conclusion.

By Violet Quinn,

year 13

Frozen Film Review

Frozen, a Walt Disney Production, was released recently in the cinema box office.  It is created by the makers of Tangled and Wreck-It-Ralph and I knew for sure that I could never miss out this opportunity to watch it in the cinemas. I was fortunate enough to go see it and, in all honesty, it was the best Disney film I had ever seen.

I was deeply stricken by the plot of this film. It was nowhere near to what I had expected would happen. The plot was fairly simple and unexpected. Queen Elsa of Arendelle is cursed with magical powers that no one knows about. She faces great consequences to try and hide it. Anna, Queen Elsa’s sister, a very cheerful girl, longs to reconnect with her sister after she shut everyone out but causes tragedy as Elsa’s powers are revealed. She decides to escape Arendelle hoping everyone will be safe without her, but doesn’t realise she’s made a big mistake.

Anna sets out on a dangerous journey to find her sister, unravels mysteries and re unites with a snowman she built with her sister when they were young. His name is Olaf, and he likes warm hugs! He is simply my favourite character in the film. Olaf is dumb, but very kind-hearted and made me laugh throughout the whole film! They set out determined and never gave up on the quest to search for Elsa and save their kingdom.  

Idina Menzel, who plays the voice of Elsa, recently received an Oscar for ‘Best Original Song’. She sang ‘Let It Go’ in the film and I, myself, fell in love with the song. Originally sung by Demi Lovato, it has already sparked nearly 45 million views on YouTube.

Idina told Entertainment Weekly that “This is definitely a dream come true for me. I’m happy for the movie, I’m happy to be a part of the whole thing, and to have a song that really resonates with people is just beyond.”

Here are the main actors, who played the voices of the characters in the film:
-Idina Menzel Queen Elsa
-Kristen Bell Princess Anna
- Josh Gad Olaf the Snowman
-Jonathan Groff Kristoff
-Santino Fantana Prince Hans

Frozen is something completely new for the Disney productions. It’s a film about sisterhood, and the first Disney film ever to teach girls that they don’t need a man to save them. I was touched by the ending, nothing that I had expected, but was one of the most heart-warming endings of a Disney film.

I hope you enjoy the film as much as I did! I highly recommend it for anyone out there; it’s a great family movie with an incredible Plot Twist.

Zakia Nissar, 
year 9

You can watch the movie trailer for Frozen here:

Doctor Who: The Day of the Doctor

On the 23rd of November 1963 the whole world was reeling from the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Meanwhile, a small studio by the name of Lime Grove awaited in anticipation as at 5:16 the ethereal theme tune heralded the beginning of the phenomenon that has become Doctor Who.

A policeman strides down 76 totters lane where unbeknownst to him lies the vessel which has featured in children’s dreams and nightmares alike for fifty years, The TARDIS. Except now we’ve moved on fifty years and we’re outside Coal Hill Secondary School where any moment now Clara Oswald is about to leap onto her motorcycle after a mysterious summons from her doctor…

The story centres around the Time War which has been a recurring theme since the series return in 2005. John Hurt features as the hitherto unknown ninth incarnation of the doctor however he is no longer the doctor, he’s the one who broke the promise, a warrior. Every moment in time is burning, a decision must be made but first in Christmas Carol-esque style John Hurt is visited by a consciousness in the form of Billie Piper who shows him what he will become should he destroy the time lords, the man who regrets (David Tennant) and the man who forgets (Matt Smith).

After a wild combination of convoluted sub plots including shape shifting aliens, the not so good Queen Bess and a time travelling fez, fans are treated to an awe-inspiring ending which celebrates fifty years of doctor who heritage.  

Directed by Steven Moffat, successor to Russell T.Davies and co-creator of the BBC hit Sherlock, the special conveys the very essence of Doctor Who since it started 1963 when William Hartnell began the legacy of the Doctor. The Day of the Doctor was broadcast in 94 countries at the same time earning it a Guinness World Record as "the world's largest ever simulcast of a TV drama".

The mystery of the doctor is unveiled as audiences finally discover what it means to be the doctor, 
“We’ve got enough warriors, any old idiot can be hero”

“Then what do I do”, replies the Doctor to Clara.
“What you’ve always done, be a doctor.”

Caitlin Gallagher and Melody Rawlinson,

year 12

Yonderland: A Review

Last Sunday Yonderland hit our screens. The new T.V. programme aired on Sky One and includes the cast of the famous CBBC children’s TV show Horrible Histories.

Yonderland follows 33-year old Mum Debbie Maddox who finds herself in a strange world inhabited by a collection of weird, and usually idiotic, characters with only an elf by her side. The story begins with Debbie thinking that she’s going mad. Perhaps she is, as an enthusiastic elf appears from a kitchen cupboard telling her that she is needed in another world for she is their saviour who they call ‘The Chosen One’.

Debbie is sure that there has been a mistake, but still decides that whatever the elf might need her to do can't be any worse than watching another episode of ‘What's in the Box?’, so she lets him drag her through a portal to the other world. As she does her best to help knights and monks who are incapable of lying and a race of people intent on firing the cleverest amongst them into the sun, the question is, can she fulfill the prophecy and save the world from the dark forces that are gathering to end it, and will she make it back to the real world in time for the school pick up?

The show is a real family favourite with plenty of humour for all ages. I loved when the gallants prepared to fight to the death over a point of politeness and the oracle who lived in an enormous mound of jelly. Yes, this does all sound rather bizarre but I recommend that you tune in and find out for yourself!

Olivia Haigh, year 8

The Fault in Our Stars

On Tuesday 8th October it was announced that the much anticipated film based on the New York Times #1 bestseller ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ by John Green will be released on June 6th 2014.

Along with ‘The Fault in Our Stars’, John Green also wrote ‘Looking for Alaska’, ‘Paper Towns’ and ‘Will Grayson, Will Grayson’. With a witty sense of humour, John Green cleverly structures his novels and craftily creates a whirlwind of events in each book which makes them in particularly so popular amongst the teenage audience.

Starring Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort, the film will reflect the fluctuation of emotions presented throughout the book and the relationship between Hazel and Gus which readers have connected with and envisaged.

After meeting each other at a cancer support group, immediate sparks are released between Hazel and Augustus and the book gives a first person response of their relationship through the eyes of 17 year old Hazel. Suffering with terminal cancer, Hazel illustrates the pain and emotions which cancer survivors conjure with everyday as we follow her journey of fulfilling her life.

Many companions, along with Hazel’s accompanying oxygen tank, are introduced throughout the novel including Isaac, a friend from the support group. With a large following from internet fans, John Green’s readers may have concerns about the perception of the book when the film adaptation will be released however in one of the author’s Youtube vlogs on his channel ‘VlogBrothers’, Natt Wolf, who plays Isaac, reassured the viewers that the film is ‘realistic already’.

One of the heartfelt additions which the producers and team added to the film is a cast of some real teen cancer survivors which highlights a sense of reality within the book. Natt Wolf (Isaac) was asked about his experience of visiting them at a hospital and stated ‘It was overwhelming. You start off by asking them questions about their disease and how they cope with it and five minutes in you’re talking about movies and TV shows’. Likewise, despite suffering with cancer, Hazel is a normal teenage girl which intensifies the courage and normality of cancer survivors.

With having the idea of writing a book on the subject of cancer for ten years, it has undoubtedly been worth the wait for John Green. Following the success of the book, the movie is expected to be a huge hit and will capture the hearts of an even larger audience worldwide who will cry of both laughter and sorrow.

Jade Chadburn, year 13