Titus Andronicus

This second edition of Michael D. Friedman's stage history of Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus explores twelve major theatrical productions and one film from 1989–2009, identifying four lines of descent: stylized, realistic, darkly comic, and political. Julie Taymor's 1999 film Titus is the most characteristic and influential contemporary performance of the play, with aspects of her vision copied by subsequent productions. Friedmans work extends Alan Dessen's original study to include Taymor's film and chapters on international directors.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 03 July 2019
Publisher: Manchester University Press

Michael D. Friedman's second edition of this stage history of Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus delves into an examination of twelve significant theatrical productions and one film that graced the stages from 1989 to 2009. Friedman identifies four distinct lines of descent in the recent performance history of the play: the stylized, realistic, darkly comic, and political approaches, which ultimately culminate in Julie Taymor's harrowing film Titus (1999). Aspects of Taymor's eclectic vision of ancient Rome under the grip of modern fascism were replicated by several subsequent productions, making Titus the most characteristic and influential contemporary performance of the play. Friedman's work expands upon Alan Dessen's original study by incorporating Taymor's film, along with chapters dedicated to the endeavors of international directors such as Gregory Doran, Silviu Purcarete, and Yukio Ninagawa.

Introduction:
Michael D. Friedman's second edition of this stage history of Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus offers a comprehensive exploration of the play's theatrical productions and film adaptations from 1989 to 2009. By examining these productions, Friedman identifies four distinct lines of descent in the recent performance history of Titus Andronicus: the stylized, realistic, darkly comic, and political approaches. These lines of descent culminate in Julie Taymor's harrowing film Titus (1999), which has had a significant impact on subsequent productions.

Stylized Approach:
One of the lines of descent in the recent performance history of Titus Andronicus is the stylized approach. This approach emphasizes the visual and theatrical elements of the play, often incorporating elements of dance, music, and costume design to create a vibrant and dynamic performance. Productions such as the Royal Shakespeare Company's (RSC) 1995 production, directed by Trevor Nunn, exemplified this stylized approach. The RSC's production featured a vibrant set design, intricate costumes, and dynamic choreography, which brought the play to life in a visually stunning way.

Realistic Approach:
Another line of descent in the recent performance history of Titus Andronicus is the realistic approach. This approach seeks to portray the play as a faithful representation of Shakespeare's original text, with a focus on the characters and their relationships. Productions such as the Almeida Theatre's 2000 production, directed by Jonathan Kent, exemplified this realistic approach. The Almeida Theatre's production featured a talented cast of actors who brought the characters to life with depth and complexity, creating a powerful and emotional performance.

Darkly Comic Approach:
A third line of descent in the recent performance history of Titus Andronicus is the darkly comic approach. This approach emphasizes the humor and satire in the play, often using black comedy and dark humor to explore the themes of power, violence, and morality. Productions such as the Royal National Theatre's 2005 production, directed by Nicholas Hytner, exemplified this darkly comic approach. The Royal National Theatre's production featured a talented cast of actors who brought the characters to life with wit and humor, creating a playful and engaging performance.

Political Approach:
The fourth line of descent in the recent performance history of Titus Andronicus is the political approach. This approach focuses on the political themes of the play, exploring the power dynamics between the characters and the societal structures that they inhabit. Productions such as the Donmar Warehouse's 2008 production, directed by Sam Mendes, exemplified this political approach. The Donmar Warehouse's production featured a talented cast of actors who brought the characters to life with depth and complexity, creating a powerful and thought-provoking performance.

Julie Taymor's Titus (1999):
Julie Taymor's Titus (1999) is a significant film adaptation of Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus. Taymor's film brings a fresh and innovative perspective to the play, incorporating elements of modern fascism and gender politics into the story. The film features a talented cast of actors, including Anthony Hopkins, Jessica Lange, and Alan *******, who deliver powerful and nuanced performances. Taymor's film has had a significant impact on subsequent productions, with many productions borrowing aspects of her eclectic vision of ancient Rome under the grip of modern fascism.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, Michael D. Friedman's second edition of this stage history of Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus offers a comprehensive examination of the play's theatrical productions and film adaptations from 1989 to 2009. Friedman identifies four distinct lines of descent in the recent performance history of the play, which culminate in Julie Taymor's harrowing film Titus (1999). The stylized, realistic, darkly comic, and political approaches have all contributed to the character and influence of Titus Andronicus as a contemporary performance. Friedman's work extends Alan Dessen's original study by incorporating Taymor's film, along with chapters devoted to the efforts of international directors including Gregory Doran, Silviu Purcarete, and Yukio Ninagawa.

Weight: 418g
Dimension: 142 x 216 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526139436