William Shakespeare’s rarely performed revenge tragedy Titus Andronicus, described as his “bloodiest and most violent play”, starts a run in the Swan Theatre, Stratford this week.
Michael Fentiman who makes his RSC directing debut says, “I’m delighted to return to the RSC, my stomping ground for three wonderful years as an assistant director with the long ensemble, with this impatient, full-blooded and ultimately heart-breaking play.”
The production will deploy a range of armour and weapons, all made in the RSC’s armoury in Stratford.
Led by Alan Smith, the armoury is responsible for making all weapons and armour used on stage and is equipping two armies for Titus Andronicus.
He said, “This production is very visceral—don't eat a big dinner before you see it!
“For me, it has an almost post-apocalyptic feel about it which is refreshing—it won't look the same as previous productions.”
For Titus Andronicus the armoury is producing 10 truncheons, 11 breast plates, 11 helmets, each using 10 pieces of leather, a range of daggers, swords and shields and four leather harnesses which are used to drag prisoners around.
Stephen Boxer returns to the RSC in the title role. He was at the RSC last year as William Tyndale in Written on the Heart and Archbishop Aguiar in The Heresy of Love.
Katy Stephens plays Queen Tamora. She played Rosalind in Michael Boyd's As You Like It in 2011 and performed several roles in The Histories cycle.
Also returning to the RSC in Titus Andronicus are Ben Deery (Publius); Richard Durden (Marcus); Richard Goulding (Bassianus); Kevin Harvey (Aaron); John Hopkins (Saturninus); Sarah Ridgeway (Goth Queen / concubine) and David Rubin (Caius).
Making their RSC debuts are Joe Bannister (Quintus); Ellie Beaven (handmaid / concubine); Gwilym Lloyd (Aemilius); Harry McEntire (Mutius); Perry Millward (Demetrius); Matthew Needham (Lucius); Ciarán Owens (Martius); Nicholas Prasad (Sempronius); Rose Reynolds (Lavinia); Badria Timimi (nurse); Dwane Walcott (clown / Alarbus) and Jonny Weldon (Chiron).
The play is designed by Colin Richmond with lighting by Chris Davey, sound and music by Tom Mills, movement by Ann Yee, fights by Kate Waters and illusions by Richard Pinner.
Titus Andronicus previews in the Swan Theatre from Thursday (16 May). Press night is 23 May and it runs until 26 October.