Redtwist Theatre presents TITUS ANDRONICUS.
General Tutus returns from a successful crusade. The General presents Tamora, Queen of the Goths, as a slave to the new Roman Emperor. The Emperor surprises everyone by deciding to marry Tamora instead of Titus’ daughter Lavinia. Now, in a position of power, the new Empress seeks revenge against Titus for killing her son. Titus’ family retaliates fueling murderous mayhem.
This Shakespearean tragedy is adapted by Dusty Brown with Jordan Gleaves and Caroline Kidwell. The story is complex. And since some traditional male roles are played by women, it takes a moment to understand who is who, who is family and who is avenging who. (Wiki page cheat sheet) Adapter and Director Brown facilitates a terrific ensemble. In the leads, a commanding Anne Sheridan Smith (Titus) grapples with duty and family. An impulsive Joshua Servantez (Emperor) leans into his absolute power. And a fierce Laura Sturm (Tamora) is unapologetically wicked. The power plays and political retribution is uncomfortably relatable.
In the beginning of the play, Kidwell (Lavinia) is a wide-eyed innocent in the background. After her brutal assault, her transformation is marring. She gives off a resilience vibe that is admirable and heart-breaking. James Lewis (Aaron) stands out for his engaging delivery. His impressive monologues feel organic as if he’s telling the audience something he just thought of. And nod out to the versatile Madelyn Loehr for being repeatedly killed and resurrected into new characters… over and over.
The memorable parts of the show is less about Shakespeare and more about spectacle. Brown creates a very unique and immersive experience in the Redtwist intimate space. A small audience encircles a large raised platform where proclamations are made and bodies are dumped. Brown’s production is performance art especially as the body count rises. The killing spree is up close and messy. The creative team turns the story into a gore fest! There is no escape from the blood bath. (Redtwist provides ponchos for the splash zone.)
TITUS ANDRONICUS is good and long. The program indicates ‘120 minutes with one brief intermission.’ My Friday performance was two hours and forty minutes with a brief intermission. It’s too long. Contemporary adaptations should consider contemporary audiences. Trim monologues. Cut scenes. Slaughter faster. Tightening it up would take this TITUS ANDRONICUS from good to great!
Running Time: Two hours and forty minutes includes an intermission
At Redtwist Theatre, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr
Written by William Shakespeare
Adapted by Dusty Brown, Caroline Kidwell and Jordan Gleaves
Directed by Dusty Brown
Performances are:
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7:30pm
Sundays at 3:30pm
Thru March 30
For more information or tickets
Production photos by Tom McGrath//TCMcGPhotography
For more Chicago theatre information and reviews, please visit Theatre in Chicago