Titus Andronicus, Globe Theatre

For those who like their Shakespeare bloody, it doesn’t get much gorier than Titus Andronicus. This violent tale of the latter days of the Roman Empire, believed to be Shakespeare’s first tragedy, was once considered to be one of the Bard’s less impressive offerings. In recent years, however, it’s regained popularity.

For its 2014 season, Shakespeare’s Globe is revisiting director Lucy Bailey’s 2006 production of the play, which reportedly caused some audience members to faint when it was last seen here. As well as terrifying queasy punters, Bailey’s interpretation garnered much critical praise, attracting comparisons to the notoriously graphic films of Quentin Tarantino. 

It returns with its original creative team, including designer William Dudley and composer Django Bates, with a cast headed up by seven-time Olivier Award and BAFTA-winner William Houston, and Game of Thrones star Indira Varma.  

The eponymous Titus is a general in the Roman army who is locked in a ferocious battle with Tamora, Queen of the Goths. After Titus brings Tamora to Rome as a prisoner, a deadly cycle of revenge strikes is set in motion and the bodies begin to pile up. The play’s sensational storyline of murder, rape and torture was popular in its day, but its many scenes of violence ensured that it fell out of favour in subsequent centuries.

This remounted production is perhaps not for the faint of heart, but fans of horror should be well catered for. The brave among you might want to opt for tickets in the yard, where it’s possible to get even closer to the action.