By Wendy Carson
Indy Bard Fest presents “Titus Andronicus” by William Shakespeare.
First of all, let’s address a few things about the source material. This is not a typical Shakespearean tragedy. It is violent, gritty, and rather mean-spirited overall. However, it is also very realistic in its depiction of the wages of war, the brutality spawned from revenge and the immense savagery of “civilized” society.
Bard Fest states that this is not for children, the warning making the subject matter seem like it leans towards an “R” rating when indeed it is much closer to a “PG” or “PG-13” at the strongest. A few murders do occur onstage, with “blood” spray, but the most heinous of the crimes occurs offstage and is only talked about, with its aftereffects being seen in fascinating detail. Since the stage blood seems more akin to Kool-Aid, none of it feels as gruesome as it could be. In fact, a young gentleman at our performance had no qualms about any of the violence, he was more alarmed at becoming a valet to the Queen at one point.
So, parental discretion is advised but do not let that keep you from exposing kids to this rarely-done show. Who knows, it might make them want to check out more of the Bard’s catalogue.
Although I usually try to summarize the stories here somewhat, it’s really nothing more than a lesson in what “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” justice is like. As you enter the Indy Eleven theater, notice that on the back wall of the audience, there is a chart with Titus’s family listed. As the play progresses, more and more of those names get scratched off until only three are left. Also, enjoy the beginning tableau of the family at the table. This is the only time you will see such happiness and normalcy in the production. Oh, and the rightward section of the audience is the “Splatter Zone.”
Director Matt Anderson does an exceptional job keeping the show enjoyable despite its dark subject matter, at times leaning into its gory nature. In fact, the final scene is more fun than frightening.
Dan Flahive brings Andronicus to life as the world-weary soldier who, upon winning victory over the Goths, refuses the Roman people’s will to rule them and would much prefer to rest in the company of his remaining children.
James Kenjorski brings aspiring emperor Saturninus’s blind madness to the forefront by failing to see how his choices and demands will doom the rest of the characters. They start by seeing his family and kinsmen as enemies and taking the captured queen of the Goths as his bride.
Holly Hathaway Thompson gives a perfect rendition of that queen, Tamora, a proud woman whose vengeance is greater than any man’s and lifestyle would put a modern “Real Housewife” to shame.
Nicholas Johnson plays Aaron, a Moor who aids the Goths, as the devil incarnate, a man whose every action is to inflict evil upon the world.
David Marlowe keeps Bassanus, Saturninius’s brother, an endearing soul to whom fate deals a mortal blow.
Haley Glickman plays Titus’s daughter Lavinia, a young woman in love who becomes a pawn in this massive power play. Even though she suffers the worst degradations of any character, she balances her desire for revenge against the reality of its outcome. Whether eloquent or mute, Glickman’s expressiveness shines through.
Craig Kemp brings Marcus, Titus’s brother and a Roman Tribune, a solid solemnity that while not being a target himself, must witness and endure the tragic events of everyone else.
Tamora’s sons, Eli Robinson as Chiron and J.B. Scoble as Demetrius, give Aaron’s character a run for his money as far as dastardly deeds go. However, they do not escape justice and end up as “just desserts” for their mother.
Ben Elliott is appropriately noble as Titus’s eldest son, Lucius, tasked with helping bring justice to these events. Also notable is young Sam Lee as his son (Titus’s grandson), Young Lucius.
A crowd-pleaser for the rowdies in Shakespeare’s day, which even includes in this production a scene practically straight out of Wrestlemania, it won’t cost you an arm or a leg (maybe a hand?) to see “Titus Andronicus” in its remaining weekend, Friday through Sunday, Oct. 27-29, at the Indy Eleven in the IndyFringe Theatre, 719 E. St. Clair St., Indianapolis. Get tickets at indybardfest.com or indyfringe.org.