I remember reading reviews of the 2006 Lucy Bailey Titus that listed the number of audience members that had thrown up during the show. I'm trying to recall the specific production, but I remember reading about a "4-D" Titus that used smells throughout the production and pumped in the scent of bubblegum during Lavania's assault, which also turned stomachs.
Thanks for a fascinating read on a moment of theatre a lot of people don't like to linger on.
Oooh bubblegum, I love that, how stomach churning... I'm fascinated by the history of smells in theatre. Gunpowder smells were often associated with devils on the early modern stage because they'd appear with squibs/small fireworks and so literally had a whiff of sulphur about them.
That moment of "so she is" is so important because it does the opposite of what dramas revolving around victimisation so often do. Society loves to objectify victims in the same way it Others perpetrators, because if they're not real humans - just a monster and a walking crime seen - it makes us feel safe.
I agree! There are some depictions of abuse that are far less graphic but that feel more sleazy and cruel because their tone is so voyeuristic and dehumanizing. A lot of true crime feels like this to me
So powerful. I firmly believe that the uncomfortable truths need to be explored, and that shock, violence or abuse should only ever take place as part of the story. Actually seeing the horror is a great way of describing the offending characters without describing them, if you know what I mean. What they're capable of is one thing... But then if you show what they're willing to do and what they actually do, you've emphasised to the reader what kind of character they are. You've shown them. That one scene can speak a thousand words, and leave people reflecting on it for months. As hard as it was for audiences to cope with that, drawing the curtain on certain scenes isn't always helpful. Not everybody will fill that gap with their imagination and let that be that. I'd forgotten about Lavinia putting her foot in it 😱
All I knew about Titus Andronicus before your posts is that it had the highest body count of all Shakespeare’s plays, so the details are rather new/raw to me
It’s oddly enough a good first Shakespeare for people who find his language hard - I took two friends once and felt so guilty by the interval that I turned and apologised to them, but they loved it, it’s apparently much easy to follow the plot when it revolves around grotesque mutilations!
Thanks for explaining how this graphic violence helps the viewer empathize with the perpetrators of violent revenge and how it leads to an endless cycle. Unfortunately, this progression will probably be around as long as humans are.
That's a fascinating post. Insightful analysis of the play and great dot connecting to two of my favorite movies. Kudos! And thanks for the shout out for me and the latest issue of my MEN'S ADVENTURE QUARTERLY. Much appreciated!
I've never been more affected by film scene than the scene in the 1999 adaptation where Lavinia slowly turns to towards the camera after the attack. Utterly crippling. I cannot begin to imagine the impact of the recent Globe version of the play you went to. Thanks for this nuanced view on one of the most horrific scenes of violence depicted in art.
I remember reading reviews of the 2006 Lucy Bailey Titus that listed the number of audience members that had thrown up during the show. I'm trying to recall the specific production, but I remember reading about a "4-D" Titus that used smells throughout the production and pumped in the scent of bubblegum during Lavania's assault, which also turned stomachs.
Thanks for a fascinating read on a moment of theatre a lot of people don't like to linger on.
Oooh bubblegum, I love that, how stomach churning... I'm fascinated by the history of smells in theatre. Gunpowder smells were often associated with devils on the early modern stage because they'd appear with squibs/small fireworks and so literally had a whiff of sulphur about them.
That moment of "so she is" is so important because it does the opposite of what dramas revolving around victimisation so often do. Society loves to objectify victims in the same way it Others perpetrators, because if they're not real humans - just a monster and a walking crime seen - it makes us feel safe.
I agree! There are some depictions of abuse that are far less graphic but that feel more sleazy and cruel because their tone is so voyeuristic and dehumanizing. A lot of true crime feels like this to me
This scene in the film still sticks with me, after so many years. The branches and twigs.
Waiting for the comeuppance…who wants pie?!
Awesome article, Rebekah!💕
Oh god the twigs… such a haunting image! Ah yes, have no fear, it’s on it’s way…
So powerful. I firmly believe that the uncomfortable truths need to be explored, and that shock, violence or abuse should only ever take place as part of the story. Actually seeing the horror is a great way of describing the offending characters without describing them, if you know what I mean. What they're capable of is one thing... But then if you show what they're willing to do and what they actually do, you've emphasised to the reader what kind of character they are. You've shown them. That one scene can speak a thousand words, and leave people reflecting on it for months. As hard as it was for audiences to cope with that, drawing the curtain on certain scenes isn't always helpful. Not everybody will fill that gap with their imagination and let that be that. I'd forgotten about Lavinia putting her foot in it 😱
Thank you Hannah, very well put! It's a fascinating balance, especially when we write stories of our own
I have no words but somehow still want to comment
I hope you’re not upset, Anne!
I mean, upset in a productive way! You treated the subject very thoughtfully
All I knew about Titus Andronicus before your posts is that it had the highest body count of all Shakespeare’s plays, so the details are rather new/raw to me
It’s oddly enough a good first Shakespeare for people who find his language hard - I took two friends once and felt so guilty by the interval that I turned and apologised to them, but they loved it, it’s apparently much easy to follow the plot when it revolves around grotesque mutilations!
Thanks for explaining how this graphic violence helps the viewer empathize with the perpetrators of violent revenge and how it leads to an endless cycle. Unfortunately, this progression will probably be around as long as humans are.
I fear so, John
That's a fascinating post. Insightful analysis of the play and great dot connecting to two of my favorite movies. Kudos! And thanks for the shout out for me and the latest issue of my MEN'S ADVENTURE QUARTERLY. Much appreciated!
No trouble, Bob, thank you for your support!
I've never been more affected by film scene than the scene in the 1999 adaptation where Lavinia slowly turns to towards the camera after the attack. Utterly crippling. I cannot begin to imagine the impact of the recent Globe version of the play you went to. Thanks for this nuanced view on one of the most horrific scenes of violence depicted in art.
Thank you Mark! I really like the 1999 adaptation, Jessica Lange is a brilliantly chilling Tamora