TFANA's Multimedia 'Coriolanus' Misses the Mark

Ambitious concept falls flat in production of Shakespeare's political tragedy

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Theatre for a New Audience's staging of The Tragedy of Coriolanus attempts to use multimedia effects to augment Shakespeare's drama about an elitist hero undone by his pride and the fickle masses. However, the curiously tepid streams of live and video images prove more distracting than impactful, and the overall acting is spotty, with a less than charismatic lead performance. While certain actors do well, the production lacks the vital sparks of humanity that the play requires.

Why it matters

Coriolanus is one of Shakespeare's most politically relevant and timely works, exploring themes of power, populism, and the relationship between leaders and the masses. This production aimed to update the classic tale for a modern, multimedia era, but ultimately fell short in effectively translating those themes to the stage.

The details

The production features a Jumbotron-style video cube and large video screens designed to suggest a not-too-distant future setting. Director Ash K. Tata also made the choice to present the character of Aufidius as female, losing the play's homoerotic aspect. The acting is described as mostly "rattling and shouting" through the text, with a handsome but stolid lead performance by McKinley Belcher III as Coriolanus. The crucial scenes involving the Roman mob are also criticized as lacking the necessary energy and danger.

  • The Tragedy of Coriolanus opened on February 14, 2026 at the Polonsky Shakespeare Center.
  • The production runs through March 1, 2026.

The players

The Theatre for a New Audience (TFANA)

The theatre company that produced this staging of The Tragedy of Coriolanus.

McKinley Belcher III

The actor who portrayed the title role of Coriolanus, described as handsome but mostly stolid in his performance.

Ash K. Tata

The director of this production of The Tragedy of Coriolanus, who aimed to use multimedia elements to explore how political processes can be "mediated" in the modern era.

Roslyn Ruff

The actress who portrayed the role of Volumnia, Coriolanus' redoubtable mother, and was praised for her elegant and steely presence.

Mickey Sumner

The actress who portrayed the role of Aufidius, Coriolanus' rival, with a coiled intensity and edgy sense of menace.

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What they’re saying

“Our production is asking: what does it mean for our political processes to also be mediated — whether by the news media or by what AI generates memes about what is fact and what is fiction?”

— Ash K. Tata, Director (TFANA press materials)

The takeaway

While the production's multimedia concept was ambitious, the execution ultimately fell flat, failing to effectively translate the timely political themes of Coriolanus to the stage. The spotty acting and lack of energy in key scenes undercut the production's ability to engage the audience and deliver a compelling interpretation of this classic Shakespearean tragedy.