The tragedy of Titus Andronicus

"Titus Andronicus is still regarded by many as a bad play of dubious authorship. Its adversaries have abhorred the violence of the action and the apparent lapses in the quality of the verse. Since 1945, however, the play has been taken increasingly seriously in both the theatre and the study: the violence and cruelty it depicts were disconcertingly matched by the events of two World Wars. Alan Hughes joins those critics who take the play seriously, arguing for its unity of theme and its grim humour, and demonstrates that it is the work of a brilliant stage craftsman, confident in his mastery of space, movement and verse." "The text is based on the first quarto, supplemented by crucial additions and stage directions from the Folio. The critical account of the play's fortunes is integrated within a description of major modern productions, including those directed by Peter Brook, Brian Bedford and Deborah Warner. In addition there is a complete stage history which includes the eighteenth-century adaptation by Edward Ravenscroft and a reconstruction of the version performed by the nineteenth-century black American actor Ira Aldridge. For this updated edition, a new section is included on recent stage, film and critical interpretations by Sue Hall-Smith. There are also sections on text, authorship and the relevance of the famous Longleat drawing of the play. Appendices explore how the play might have been performed at the Rose playhouse in London, and how it could be adapted for a touring company of fourteen men and boys. An updated reading list completes the edition."--Jacket