Titus Andronicus

Synopsis

A study of the destruction caused by the misuse of power and the machinations behind the lust for power. A revenge tragedy with a truly chilling climax.

Our Review:

31 May 2006

There are probably only two ways to play Titus Andronicus. There’s the horror pic approach, revelling in the murder, mayhem and gore or one can send it up. Lucy Bailey’s stylish production at the Globe comes down on the side of levity, rejoicing in the black humour of the piece, while not losing sight of the poetry.

The story of how the eponymous Titus’ sacrifice of the son of the queen of the Goths has tragic consequences for his family rarely rises above the mundane, but written on the cusp of Shakespeare’s transformation from poet to playwright, the verse occasionally sparkles, even if the plot doesn’t.

Bailey doesn’t get to grips with the some of the play’s central mysteries. Why does Saturninus so readily believe that Titus’ sons were guilty of the murder of his brother when only the day before they risked their lives defending him? Why does it take so long for Titus to ask his daughter why she had been mutilated and who did it? Or, the bigge...

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Latest User Review

67.176.185.66) - 18 September 2006:

I saw this performance twice in June and thought it was superb -both times! ...

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