Titus Andronicus is Shakespeare‘s bloodiest play. I had never seen the play but that didn’t stop me from seeing the Fringe Holiday Special based on the be headings and mutilations. Knowing nothing about the Shakespeare play was a definite drawback. I was quite honestly lost for most of the production. I sketched as the barest of set pieces were being assembled. Producer Albert Pergande whacked someone with a pole as they were setting up the makeshift fireplace. This sort of real life slapstick was also to be found in the play as several puppets with Beavis and Butthead voices raped and dismembered a female puppet. There were moments of laughter, but I suspect they came mostly from audience members who appreciated the references to the Shakespeare play.
An applause sign hinted at the desired audience response. Bloodshed was combined with Christmas Carols, but I’m not sure why. The production was so Fringe that I didn’t know what to make of it. I was happy for the opportunity to sketch people wearing togas. Now that Fringe is over, I kind of miss seeing people wearing sheets in public.