[theatre] Titus Andronicus, Globe, 25-May-14

[tamaranth]

Codenamed ‘Mr Cheerful’ by ladymoonray, who declined to join us on this occasion. This gorefest is an everyday tale of charming Roman folk, featuring rape, murder, mutilation, cannibalism, and an ‘honour killing’. An interesting staging that spilt out into the audience, though I don’t think any of the groundlings were mutilated or splattered. William Houston in the title role was occasionally inaudible (as were several other cast members: the Globe’s acoustics aren’t great). Flora Spencer-Longhurst’s Lavinia was catatonic and blood-soaked, and managed to maintain some dignity despite, er, having to crawl across the stage carrying her father’s severed hand in her mouth.

I find it hard to take this play seriously: it’s just so OTT. At least in King Lear the violence and horror is tempered by credible human relationships. From what I recall of the second half (I left at the interval due to an oncoming cold, somewhat aggravated by the smoke and incense of the production) there is little in the way of love or redemption on offer here.

Comments

[swisstone]

The problem with this production is that no-one involved could take it seriously, and so played it like a black comedy. Which it isn't. You can do this play and make it work - June Taymor did. But this production doesn't.