"What is the city but the people?" Katharine Maness and Beth Dinkova of Shakespeare in the Woods on "Coriolanus"

Scurvy Companions

Coriolanus: an under-studied, under-performed Shakespearean masterpiece in class struggle and war. Let's talk about it!

Today we’ll be joined by Katharine Maness (she/they) and Beth Dinkova (she/her) of Shakespeare in the Woods, an unconventional outdoor classical theater festival in the heart of Southern Vermont. New York City actor Katharine started Shakespeare in the Woods in 2019, with the mission to, in their words, provide exceptional quality theatre that celebrates the text through exploration of relevant social issues and themes and to make art that is accessible to all audiences regardless of socioeconomic or geographical standing.

This season focuses on the theme of war, and it's only fitting that the season starts out with Coriolanus. Beth Dinkova directs this production. She is a Bulgarian-born director, adapter, and creator who explores alternative realities at the intersection of theater, film, and music in pursuit of social justice. She is a graduate of the MFA Directing program at the Yale School of Drama.

Today, they’ll discuss with us how the themes of Coriolanus are echoed in modern political strife, in the US and across the world, how themes of toxic masculinity and patriarchy can be unpacked by a largely female and nonbinary cast, how the play awakens class consciousness and urges the audience to examine their own behaviors in their communities and sociopolitical dynamics.

Katharine and Beth are interviewed by host Emily Jackoway. NoSweatShakespeare is a literary education website devoted to making Shakespeare more accessible. Visit us online at nosweatshakespeare.com to read play summaries, monologue and character analyses, Shakespeare history, and more, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to follow or subscribe and leave a five-star rating. Thanks for listening in!