Welcome to Rome
Oh, how I’ve missed reviewing theatre!
So tonight I’ve watched the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Titus Andronicus, which is part of their Rome Season. For me it’s the first play out of three I’ll be watching this weekend.
And wasn’t that brilliant.
I’ll be honest, I’ve missed the RSC’s productions. These people always find a way to make even the most produced plays new with every new production. They’re creative and clever and they bloody know their job, each and every person in their crews - and in their casts.
Titus was... gory and tragic and a bit painful at times, and amazingly funny at others. The constant interaction with the audience was brilliant, particularly when Titus is trying to send his message to the emperor. It wasn’t always easy to watch, but it was absolutely brilliant.
The cast was amazing. Everyone just worked together so well, and every line and every move and every pause were planned (awesome job on the director’s part) and done perfectly.
And can I just say, the props were out of this world. Every time I come to an RSC play I’m amazed again at the level of their props and costumes, but this was spectacular. I thought I’d seen it all in Cymbeline, with the severed head, but these people have definitely got their limbs/body parts/heads-prop-making mastered.
It was also a pleasure to come back to the Barbican. Lots of flashbacks to King and Country. Still remembered the way there and back by heart, even though it’s been nearly two years (where does time go?!), and I couldn’t stop grinning from the moment I left the tube station.
Bring on Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra!
*I’ll admit I really missed the music. It’s so unusual to see a Royal Shakespeare Company production without music, and I love their music so much. I still listen to the King and Country soundtrack, as well as The Tempest soundtrack. Really missed having their amazing music.