Titus Andronicus

Shakespeare's back catalogue demonstrates that he was an expert in communicating the idiosyncrasies of the human condition and—while much has changed over the last 400 years—the human race remains fundamentally the same. Contemporary adaptations of Shakespeare’s creations succeed when they overcome the language barrier that separates us from the universal truths his works contain. It’s safe to say that Action To The Word’s raw adaptation of Titus Andronicus succeeds in this task.

Titus Andronicus is a blood- and sex-infused Machiavellian delight set during the turbulent latter days of the Roman Empire. It's Shakespeare’s most violent work and tells the tale of a conflict between a Roman General, Titus Andronicus, and Tamora Queen of Goths. Suffice to say, fake blood runs freely in this version, but it certainly doesn’t drown out accomplished performances by a talented cast. Particular mention must be made of Thomas Christian who owns the stage as Titus, moving effortlessly back and forth from righteous anger to morbid humour. His comic timing is excellent, and his Titus is utterly believable.  

The play can perhaps be best described as the 16th-century equivalent of a gory Hollywood blockbuster. Back then, as now, there existed a significant public appetite for graphic representations of sex and violence, and Shakespeare pitched it just right with this grisly number. Certainly not for the faint hearted, this adaption doesn’t skimp on any of the orgiastic or cannibalistic elements of Shakespeare’s original – and is infinitely more entertaining for it.