By Erin Spencer, A&E Editor

Caius Martius, one of history’s most famous traitors, is telling his tale on stage this week in the Reynolds Auditorium. The Shakespearean play, “Coriolanus,” recounts a time in Roman history when riot, uprising and food shortages took over. It’s a classic story of superiors against the poor which ends in great tragedy.

Coriolanus, formerly Caius Martius, is a war hero who is appointed a representative to reduce the fighting in the streets as war breaks out just outside the city walls with a neighboring tribe, the Volscians. Tullus Aufidius is the Volscian leader who is known to be an enemy of Coriolanus. After Coriolanus defeats the Volscians, he runs for office but is soon considered an enemy of the people. They declare him a traitor to the Roman state and drive him into exile.

While in exile, Coriolanus joins forces with the Volscians. As they go to charge the gates of Rome, his mother Volumnia, to whom he is devoted, begs him to make peace. He relents and returns to Volscian territory. There, Aufidius feels betrayed and strips him of his citizenship as he awaits assassination.

But the performance here at Reynolds isn’t as simple as reading Shakespeare’s words from a book. Instead, the play has been transformed to take place in the future, in a world where politics rule the world.

“I thought it would be a good idea in light of the positive reactions to ‘The Hunger Games’ and ‘The Walking Dead,’ ” said Linda Moody, who leads the drama department. “We had a few setbacks, but the set looks amazing and we’re all very excited.”

Moody wants to encourage everyone to join the great pilgrimage to the auditorium this week to see the final product of months of hard work. The curtain goes up Thursday and Saturday night at 7 (Oct. 24 and 26), while RJR students can see the play Friday morning during first and second period. Admission is $5 for the evening performances and $3 for Friday morning.

You won’t be disappointed by the performance of Coriolanus, played by junior Jacob Weinberg, who said, “It’s been a long road for everyone, but I’m really honored to have this role and work with such great people.”

Senior Lilith Bachelder, who plays Brutus, added, “I really love my character and the overall story because I hate politics. I even dyed my hair for the part!”