Publisher's Synopsis
"A fascinating account of the trials and tribulations behind what turned into a triumphant South African production of Shakespeare's bloodiest tragedy, Titus Andronicus" (Independent)
"Shakespeare in Tarantino mode" is how actor Antony Sher and director Gregory Doran describe Titus Andronicus, one of the most violent plays ever written. They decided to mount a production at the celebrated Market Theatre in Johannesburg with a top South African multi-racial cast. This is an account of their extraordinary journey: from the historic first visit of the Royal National Theatre Studio to South Africa in 1994, to the rehearsals and controversial opening of Titus at the Market, and the acclaim that greeted its subsequent performances in London, Leeds and Spain. This is not only a fascinating insight into how a director and actor approach a classic play, it is also a portrait of theatre in South Africa, emerging from the dark ages of apartheid, and a moving and often funny account of Antony Sher's professional debut in his homeland.
