This is easily one of Shakespeare's more exciting action-packed tragedies, working well even in the space of the confined set as shown here. Fine performances and solid direction quickly make the most of the plot. Although technically a Roman drama, it is not based on any true historical events from that period.
Roman General Titus Andronicus (Trevor Peacock) returns to Rome having won victory of Tamora (Eileen Atkins), Queen of the Goths, whom he has captured. As a reward for his victory he is asked to elect the next Emperor of Rome and he chooses Saturninus (Brian Protheroe), the late Emperor's son. Saturninus takes a fancy to Titus' daughter Lavinia (Anna Calder-Marshall) but when she refuses his offer of marriage, he selects Tamora as his Queen instead. Tamora wastes no opportunity to take revenge on her former captor and bloody havoc quickly ensues...
The redoubtable Trevor Peacock, a staple of these BBC adaptations, delivers a noble Titus corroded by rage and revenge. Atkins is on fine form as the scheming Tamora, although Protheroe could have made more of the sliminess in Saturninus.
One notable performer here has not been given his due elsewhere. Hugh Quarshie excels as Tamora's follower Aaron, and gives a solid performance of pure evil. It's a shame they couldn't cast him as the lead in "Othello" as he would been fantastic in the part.
The piece is shot on one set but it works well, the black, decaying walls suggesting a crumbling corrupt society and it is suggestive, appropriately enough, of the Roman Coliseum.
Good stuff.
Roman General Titus Andronicus (Trevor Peacock) returns to Rome having won victory of Tamora (Eileen Atkins), Queen of the Goths, whom he has captured. As a reward for his victory he is asked to elect the next Emperor of Rome and he chooses Saturninus (Brian Protheroe), the late Emperor's son. Saturninus takes a fancy to Titus' daughter Lavinia (Anna Calder-Marshall) but when she refuses his offer of marriage, he selects Tamora as his Queen instead. Tamora wastes no opportunity to take revenge on her former captor and bloody havoc quickly ensues...
The redoubtable Trevor Peacock, a staple of these BBC adaptations, delivers a noble Titus corroded by rage and revenge. Atkins is on fine form as the scheming Tamora, although Protheroe could have made more of the sliminess in Saturninus.
One notable performer here has not been given his due elsewhere. Hugh Quarshie excels as Tamora's follower Aaron, and gives a solid performance of pure evil. It's a shame they couldn't cast him as the lead in "Othello" as he would been fantastic in the part.
The piece is shot on one set but it works well, the black, decaying walls suggesting a crumbling corrupt society and it is suggestive, appropriately enough, of the Roman Coliseum.
Good stuff.