Shakespeare’s "Titus Andronicus"

[DrLeftover]

Globe audience faints at 'grotesquely violent' Titus Andronicus
30 Apr 2014

With 14 deaths, brutal rape scenes, mutilation and cannibalism, Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus has never been one for the fainthearted.

But the gruesome scenes at the Globe Theatre’s latest revival have proved too much for even the most daring of theatre-goers.

Members of the audience have been fainting during the play’s most violent scenes, with others reporting feeling sick and warning of sleepless nights.

The play, a revival of Lucy Bailey’s 2006 production, is publicised with a warning that it is “grotesquely violent and daringly experimental”, with a “terrible cycle of mutilation, rape and murder”.

The play’s most famous scene sees Titus murder the sons of his rival Tamora, Queen of the Goths, later feeding their remains to her in a pie.

A spokesman for the Globe confirmed five members of the audience fainted in a particularly gory five-minute scene, adding front of house staff are "very well trained to look after people".

It is understood all five fell while watching Lavinia emerge from being brutally rape, with her tongue cut out and holding bloodied stumps for arms.

"Shakespeare definitely didn’t pull any punches when he was writing Titus – it is a brutally violent play and Lucy’s production is a bloody, exhilarating, incense-laden feast for the senses," the spokesman addad. "But not one for the squeamish!"

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/william-shakespeare/10798599/Globe-audience-faints-at-grotesquely-violent-Titus-Andronicus.html

 

[DrLeftover]

I remember reading part of the play in college.

I don't think I've ever seen it staged.

And now, I'm not sure I'd want to.

 

[Evil Eye]

Huh, well if people're fainting they're putting on a convincing show I suppose.
Well done them.