Titus Andronicus: How the Mighty Have Fallen

Over the weekend, Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park, put on a stellar performance of Titus Andronicus, one of Shakespeare's less popular and more bloody tragedies.  Since the majority of Mere-O's readers are not likely to find themselves in Oklahoma any time soon, I will skip over a review of the performance itself; content to suffice myself with one brief comment.  A play like Titus Andronicus gives the director many opportunities to exploit the gruesome, sensual, and bloody elements of the script beyond what Shakespeare may have intended; it was with some reservation that I decided to attend since I knew that there would be ample room for poetic and licentious license in an attempt to sell tickets and keep the attention of an audience struggling with the Elizabethean English.  I was quite surprised to find that artistic director Kathryn McGill remained within the bounds of a historically plausible production, while certainly not shying away from addressing the dark themes and portraying the sinister elements of the play.  Kudos to a non-profit theater company whose goal is "to provide Oklahoma with quality stage productions in unique and exciting environments at a reasonable price and to develop cultural growth in Oklahoma through classical and theatrical projects."

For those unfamiliar with the plot of Titus Andronicus, you might want to read a brief synopsis.  Everyone else is welcome to take the plunge with me into the dark world of a falling empire and the turmoil of human depravity.