Titus Andronicus – Sam Wanamaker Playhouse

The Globe’s winter fest comes to its closing but not before tackling Shakespeare’s most gruesome tragedy directed by Jude Christian, with an all-female cast bringing us the horror tale without an ounce of blood spilling. Knowing it to be the bloodiest tale, I sat down with sight swell of excitement to how they might butcher each other on stage but what I received was quite the opposite and I don’t think I was too mad about it. Our two opposing leaders, Titus and Saturninus played by Katy Stephens and Lucy McCormick bring a delightful contrast between power and how to use it. McCormick utterly rocks the stage, stealing more than a glance at every moment they perform with force, making a parody of every male leader as we know them in classics creating a clown of who we should respect the most. And it works. Finally, a Shakespeare that answers what we are all thinking- why the HELL is this guy in charge and does he fancy himself that much. Stephens contrast is a slightly more humble Titus performed classically, reacting painfully to the cards they’ve been dealt. But ultimately, I found myself routing for actor Beau Holland who played Bassianus/ Quintus/ Martius/ a fly/ Nurse/ Midwife and Aemlius whose purpose was to show the unnecessary amount of bloodshed and reacts hilariously to this careless killing. A fantastic addition to really push the chaos we are watching and is great to encourage not taking things so seriously.

Immediately we are plunged into the story via music, a folky comedy tune that rounds up what we are about to watch. The chorus goes ‘men killing men, killing men, killing men, killing children, killing men, killing men, killing men, killing women….’ And obviously you can tell you’re in for a bit of magic. Song writers Liv Morris and George Heyworth take the story and perfectly elevate the piece to a point of which I wish there were more moments of song.

During the winter months it’s really special to experience an indoor Shakespeare as they would have performed for royalty and wealthy customers. The only light coming from candlelight which you only realise how dark it is until all are blown out. As an audience member it can really encourage some tension and I felt frustrated at myself for keeping a watchful eye on the flame rather than the actor. The only drawback is that this will always keep us slightly out of immersing in the production, saying this the actors dealt with this perfectly as again it is something to make light of. We can all laugh when the candles won’t light because the play allows us to laugh in general.

The biggest takeaway for me was the storyline following Aaron performed by Kibong Tanji who spins the wheel of chaos with pride ultimately providing the last heir to the throne during his affair with Tamara. Tanji found calmness in the wild, let us in and even with the dark betrayals and thirst to murder I was still routing for them. The perfect villain with the right amount of softness. A perfect performance.

This was a mix of all the right things but ultimately unlike any Shakespeare you’ve ever seen. It would be a crime to miss. Until 15th April, https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on/titus-andronicus/

Reviewer: Alice Rose

Reviewed: 1st February 2023

North West End UK Rating: ★★★★