Through December 21, 2008
Reviewed by Steve Callahan
I adored Tin Ceiling's gore-fest, Zombozo, a year or two ago and was looking forward to feasting on similar sensibilities in their production of Titus Andronicus--that truly bizarre dip into Grand Guignol by old Will Shakespeare. But alas, St. Louis' most adventurous troupe gives us not a drop of the old crimson ichor, despite various amputations, tongue rippings and sword piercings--and despite a truly beautiful and evocative Art Noveau poster by Derek Simmons.
What it does give us is an example of how to present strong drama with just "two boards and a passion". (Or in this case, perhaps, one board and seven or eight passions.) As usual with Tin Ceiling the production values are minimal: estimated budget--$4.50. But it works.
The play is set in ancient Rome and concerns revenge upon revenge upon bloody revenge. Titus, a triumphant general, has lost most of his twenty-five sons in noble battle. He returns to Rome and foolishly supports the wicked Saturninus in his struggle for the emperor's throne. Titus shows the same blind bone-headedness as Lear, or Leontes in The Winter's Tale. As a result more sons are killed and a daughter is ravished and mutilated. But Titus gets his grisly revenge when he feeds the wicked empress, Tamora, a feast of her own offspring.
Strong stuff!
The script is deftly trimmed to just over two hours and the cast reduced to a mere fourteen. But the story is well told. The cast is fairly mixed in abilities, but Robert Mitchell gives a strong and stern Titus. John Johnson is commendable as the tribune Marcus. Amy Kelly ably portrays the Goth Queen Tamora (though in one scene, wrapped in a mink coat, she looks a bit more like a Mafia matron than a witch/seductress.) Tara Lawton is a lovely and infinitely suffering Lavinia.
Alan David, I think, stands out especially as the exquisitely villainous Aaron. Small, slender, agile, terribly focused, and with intense eyes and a wickedly beautiful smile, he is simply perfection in this role.
So if you've not seen Titus Andronicus, Tin Ceiling's offering is worth a visit. It is, as the director suggests, "the most 'Tin Ceiling' of Shakespeare's plays." But I was a tad disappointed that there was so little wild imagination brought to the production.
It runs through December 21 at the Tin Ceiling Theatre, 3159 Cherokee.
For ticket information call 314-374-1511 or visit www.tinceiling.org .
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