John Philip Kemble
“ John Philip Kemble made a stage version of the tragedy, basing it on the Sheridan-Thomson admixture; produced it at Drury Lane, February 7, 1789, and appeared for the first time as Coriolanus in association with Mrs Siddons as Volumnia. Kemble's Coriolanus was considered his grandest impersonation. He retained the part in his repertory to the end of his career, acting it, with great power and effect, on the night of his final retire- ment from the stage, June 23, 1817. . . .
Kemble's scenic setting of Coriolanus was characterized by classical scholar- ship and tasteful opulence. The Rome exhibited was that of a much later date than the Rome of the time of Coriolanus, when the Augustan splendor of that city had not yet arrived. Among the objects shown was the Arch of Constantine, Trajan's Column, and the Coliseum, things that Coriolanus never saw. Kemble's impersonation of Coriolanus evidently was an histrionic marvel. Many judges of his time concurred in commending it, almost to extravagance, but usually in general terms. No recorder (as far as I can ascertain) has described it fully—with the particularity of specification which such a masterpiece deserved. The nature of Kemble's excellence in this part is, however, to a slight extent indicated by some of the written encomium: it is more largely left to be inferred from what is said of his appearance, method, temperament, and quality, as sig- nified in description of his acting in other parts, or of himself, in private life. The most dominant of his characteristics was intrinsic dignity. His figure was tall and impressive, his demeanor majestic, his utterance (though his voice, while deep, was not strong) was clear, sonorous, and sympathetic. [The same may likewise, unfortunately, be said of all the accounts of Mrs Siddons's Volumnia. Both Boaden and Campbell merely speak of the general excellence, and remarkable power of her interpretation.—Ed.]”