TITUS
ANDRONICUS
Shakespeare's
Globe
06.05.2014
Lucy
Bailey's darkly violent production of this early revenge tragedy was
a huge success in 2006. Now it's back, in a slightly more
light-hearted version, bringing the gory tale to vibrant life, daring
the groundlings to stay the blood-stained course from rape to
incestuous cannibalism.
It's a
staging that involves the audience, with mobile towers careering
around the yard, processions and chases. William Dudley's radical
design swathes the Globe's colourful columns and frons
scaenae in black; there's smoke and incense for
atmosphere, and Django Bates' brutal music.
A strong
cast – all new to this most challenging of spaces – is headed by
William Houston's Titus, powerful, disturbing, but oddly touching in
his mad desire for vengeance. Indira Varma is a sardonic Tamora; Obi
Abili a strikingly dignified Aaron. Flora Spencer-Longhurst is the
tragically mutilated Lavinia, and amongst the
viscerally violent villains, a standout performance from Matthew
Needham as an instinctively savage Saturninus.
Academics
are often unsure of how to approach this, Shakespeare's only stab at
the genre. Directors too. And audiences – giggling, texting,
drinking wine, eating burgers, fainting. But impossible not to react
in some way to all this blood, confusion and casual butchery.
