Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus

Directed by Danielle Gerogiou

Associate Directed by Rudy Lope

Audience Rating: PG-13 for violence and gore

Running Time: 2 hours with a 15 min intermission

Wheelchair Accessibility: Parking, Entrance/Exit and Seating Available

Hearing Devices: Available

Sensory Friendly Showing: Not Available

ASL Showing: Not Available

Sound Level: Comfortable Volume Level

Audio/Visuals to Prepare For: Depiction of death, violence, murder, rape, blood. Strobe lights and fog used

Reviewed by Natalie Shaw

Titus Andronicus is arguably Shakespeare's most violent tragedy. There are approximately six dismemberments, one violent rape against a woman and fourteen deaths, just during its two hour run, not including the countless more that took place prior to Act 1, Scene 1. As a young man, who wasn't quite thirty years old, Shakespeare was flexing his horror muscle and trying something new. Titus Andronicus, (originally known as The Most Lamentable Romaine Tragedie of Titus Andronicus) is recorded as his first ever tragedy, and he brought plenty of blood, violence and gore to season it! Bon Appetit! His later tragedies, although filled with plenty of violence, death and murder, are not quite to this level. It may suffice it to say that he came in with fires blazing while writing his first tragedy and, as one does, learns what to prioritize for the plotline, theme, language, etc. Nonetheless, it's still a masterpiece in its own right, one that deserves fair production and to be revisited time and time again.

Director Danielle Georgiou of Shakespeare Dallas has cooked up something different with this treacherous tragedy, adding a dash or two of physical comedy and some Absurdist Theatre for a diverse flavor. Oversized props, designed by Cindy Ernst-Godinez include items such as a giant whisk, an enormous cake (aka Titus's "pie,") and large slices of that same cake. Creepy clown costumes, similar to those you may have seen in a recent Ochre House Theatre production, make their way to the Samuel Grand Amphitheatre stage in the opening dance number, while richly lush golds, reds and purples hold throughout the production. Set in a ROME nightclub, our characters are given a mob-mentality hierarchy; it's a kill or be killed; eat or be eaten power struggle in this version of "battle for the crown." This incredible set design by Uldarico Sarmiento also includes a center platform, bringing some of the action closer to the audience in a more intimate approach and is brightly lit in fluorescent pinks and yellows by Lighting Designer, Aaron Johansen, while Sound Designer Noah James Heller and Music Director/Composer Danny Anchondo Jr. provide the eccentric nightclub music and beats. Fight Choreographer, Brandon Wetch provides some exceptional fight movements, one of which takes place in slow motion, under strobe lights.

If Titus is one that is lesser known to you, allow me to recap. Titus Andronicus, played with authoritative fervor by Adrian Godinez, is a noble Roman general; one who is more loyal to king and country than he is to his own family. As the new Emperor of Rome, Saturninus (Omar Padilla,) has decided it is his right to marry Lavinia (Lily Gast,) Titus's daughter. As it were, Lavinia has already been promised to Bassianus (Dylan Weand, Saturninus' younger brother.) What might've been a simple sibling spat, quickly turns deadly when Titus stabs and kills one of his own, last living sons, Mutius (Cameron Casey) who helps hide Lavinia from Saturninus, standing guard at the door in which she is concealed. Titus, afterward declares that Mutius is a traitor to the crown and will not be buried in the family monument. This takes place almost directly after Titus lost twenty-one of his twenty-five sons who died in war for Rome. It is not two minutes later, Saturninus declares that he will make his captive, Tamora Queen of the Goths his new bride, instead. Seeing that Saturninus is so easily swayed, Tamora knows just how to play her cards as the new queen. Nicole Berastequi plays a calculated and sinister Tamora, who plots a brutal revenge on Titus after he cruelly executes her son as a prisoner of war. Her lover and minion, Aaron (Shawn Gann) begins her quest by convincing Tamora's dim-witted sons, Chiron (Brandon Whitlock) and Demetrius (Tommy Stuart) to rape Lavinia. They cut out her tongue, for good measure, in case she tries to tattle-tale to Daddy. Upon learning who injured Lavinia, Titus plots to cut off the heads of Chiron and Demetrius and grind their bones into a fine powder paste, bake it into a pie and serve it to Tamora and Saturninus. Although he's finally discovered some family loyalty, it is unfortunately too late for himself and for those he's lost, despite the many attempts by Marcus (or "Marca" for this production, Caitlin Chapa) and Lucius (Titus's eldest son, Jon Garrard) who've remained our two voices of reason throughout the narrative.

Titus Andronicus continues at Shakespeare Dallas's Samuel Grand Amphitheatre until October 18th. You can purchase tickets at shakespearedallas.org.

Enjoy the show!

Natalie Shaw

Photos by Sydney Cornelius + Paris Marie Productions