I can just hear the inimitable Robert Morley! I think for many this play is hard to get a feel for, but when you think about how bloody the world was, it makes a lil more sense. Cattle were slaughtered in open markets, various animal fighting took place before and after plays, and the number of death penalty offenses under the law was considerable. War was person to person combat, or worse, chaotic, rioting battles of hacking others to death. Yes, I’m certain this play did cause a shock to early viewers, but perhaps not as thorough a shock as one might think.
You're absolutely right! There's a great book called 'Stage, Stake, and Scaffold' about the overlap between animal fighting and theatre spaces in early modern England: https://academic.oup.com/book/8415 Travelling to Southwark from the city to watch a play, people would have passed beneath the heads of traitors on spikes at the bridge!
I actually HAVE seen Titus go the Swedish chef route, and it was VERY funny. It was the first time my partner had ever seen Titus, and he had no idea how to react to any of this, which was just as enjoyable to watch as the show itself.
Delicious! Re other movies with cannibalism, The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover traumatised me back in the early 90s. A chap took me to see it on a first (also last) date.
Thanks for putting such a light-hearted spin on murder, mayhem, cannibalism - let’s see - rape, revenge, nightmares - what else - dismemberment, poison, etc.!
Before I forget, a very merry Christmas, Rebecca, and all the best to you in the new year. Enjoy your break.💕
Thank you so much for the absolutely wonderful articles you write. I am going to dig into the Wallace and Grommet series over the holidays.
I gasped multiple times reading this article, oh my gosh, what a treasure trove of bloody cannibalism! I am going to look for that Vincent Price movie. On the subject of surprise pies with people in them, I also just saw Sweeney Todd. Are there other movies/ plays besides these that also feature people baked into pies?
My guess is the Evil Dead series! I hope I’m right! 💕🖤
I can just hear the inimitable Robert Morley! I think for many this play is hard to get a feel for, but when you think about how bloody the world was, it makes a lil more sense. Cattle were slaughtered in open markets, various animal fighting took place before and after plays, and the number of death penalty offenses under the law was considerable. War was person to person combat, or worse, chaotic, rioting battles of hacking others to death. Yes, I’m certain this play did cause a shock to early viewers, but perhaps not as thorough a shock as one might think.
You're absolutely right! There's a great book called 'Stage, Stake, and Scaffold' about the overlap between animal fighting and theatre spaces in early modern England: https://academic.oup.com/book/8415 Travelling to Southwark from the city to watch a play, people would have passed beneath the heads of traitors on spikes at the bridge!
Now I need The Muppets' Titus Andronicus to be made.
Loved this series, thanks for the great articles this year, have a wonderful break and I look forward to what you've got lurking next.
Thank you Mata! Have a great holiday yourself
Is that Larys Strong and Ellaria Sand?!
I think so!
I actually HAVE seen Titus go the Swedish chef route, and it was VERY funny. It was the first time my partner had ever seen Titus, and he had no idea how to react to any of this, which was just as enjoyable to watch as the show itself.
Oh my god, amazing! Yes it’s my favourite play to use to introduce people to Shakespeare…
And once again I walk in during the final scene. Neat series! Now to go back and read the others...
Thank you! I hope you enjoy them
No doubt I will
Delicious! Re other movies with cannibalism, The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover traumatised me back in the early 90s. A chap took me to see it on a first (also last) date.
Oh wow what a first date!
Thanks for putting such a light-hearted spin on murder, mayhem, cannibalism - let’s see - rape, revenge, nightmares - what else - dismemberment, poison, etc.!
Enjoy the break!
Haha, thank you, John - all in a day’s work!
Before I forget, a very merry Christmas, Rebecca, and all the best to you in the new year. Enjoy your break.💕
Thank you so much for the absolutely wonderful articles you write. I am going to dig into the Wallace and Grommet series over the holidays.
I gasped multiple times reading this article, oh my gosh, what a treasure trove of bloody cannibalism! I am going to look for that Vincent Price movie. On the subject of surprise pies with people in them, I also just saw Sweeney Todd. Are there other movies/ plays besides these that also feature people baked into pies?
My guess is the Evil Dead series! I hope I’m right! 💕🖤
Thank you, Sheila, a very merry Christmas to you too! Watch this space... x
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this series and look forward to the next one. Thank you as well for introducing me to Theatre of Blood. Such a fun film!
Thank you so much, Lou! It’s great, isn’t it? The perfect Venn diagram of things I love.
Really looking forward to the next series of posts. Just remember, "some things are more easily started than stopped." ;-)
Ah yes, very true…thanks so much, Dave!