THE play described as "the biggest blood bath in Shakespeare's canon" begins a run at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from tomorrow.
The rarely seen tragedy Titus Andronicus is the last production in the theatre's summer festival season and its director, Bill Alexander, made the blood bath claim.
Titus Andronicus has not been performed on the main stage in Stratford since 1981 although the company last presented it in 1987 at The Swan.
The most macabre of Shakespeare's plays, the plot features family feuds leading to rape, mutilation and murder.
Against a decadent and disintegrating Roman Empire, Titus Andronicus initiates a cycle of
butchery, sparked by his horrific thirst for revenge and retribution.
Stratford-based David Bradley plays the title role of the ageing Roman general. He is a veteran of more than 60 roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company, having first joined in 1978.
Since then he has portrayed Aguecheek in Twelfth Night, Mephistopheles in Doctor Faustus
and Polonius in Hamlet.
He will be known to the current young generation of cinema goers as Filch the caretaker in
Harry Potter. Titus Andronicus continues at Stratford until Tuesday, November 8. Tickets are
available on 0870 609 1110.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article