Titus Andronicus: A Tragedy of Political Intrigue & Revenge

A gruesome & bloody Shakespearean play

Photo by Alastair Muir

If you are at all into the political intrigue, the blood-lust revenge killings, and the raw, sexual rage of The Borgias, the TV series that chronicles the rise of the Spanish-Italian papal dynasty, with Jeremy Irons and Colm Feore, then you’re sure to enjoy the Montreal Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of Titus Andronicus, perhaps Shakespeare’s first, and certainly his most bloody and violent tragedy.

If there is any doubt as to this play’s popularity, consider that the venerable Stratford Shakespeare Festival is also running a production through to the Fall. But if you’re in Montreal over the next couple of weeks, the Montreal Shakespeare Theatre Company has got you covered.

Photo by Montreal Shakespeare Theatre Company

The play tells the story of the fictional Roman General Titus Andronicus, just back from a war against the Goths, to fill the shoes of the late Emperor. At this stage of his career Shakespeare was possibly learning by emulation, cranking out as gory and violent a romp as any of his contemporaries. No one is left standing. There is intrigue, revenge, rape, severed hands and severed heads, and plenty of blood.

The Montreal Shakespeare Theatre Company is a young troupe. Born in 2001 as Purple 9 Productions, the company eventually took on their new name as they morphed into a Shakespeare company, presenting theatre productions, and a series of school tours called Shakespeare For Kids. It’s what they became known for, bringing The Bard down to the students’ level, or perhaps raising the students to Shakespeare’s level. But their Titus Andronicus is a rather grown-up production. In fact, oftentimes this particular play carries with it age limit suggestions and parental discretion advisories.

They’ve chosen a rather unique August location for their play. The Monument National has been around since 1893. Many classic vaudevillians played here, in English and in French. Edith Piaf performed here. For quite some time the Monument National was the seat of Montreal’s Yiddish theatre. And today it is part of the National Theatre School of Canada. The theatre was completely renovated for its centennial, and now boasts two beautiful rooms, one a classic 19th century design, the other a smaller, more modern house, and there’s also a 55-seat cabaret style theatre.

With an impressive cast of 31 young players, the Montreal Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Titus Andronicus runs tonight until the 13th, at the Monument National, 1182 Blvd. St. Laurent. Tickets $25.00 / $20.00. 514-871-2224 / 1-866-844-2172.