Titus Adronicus, The Tin Ceiling

Pleasantly surprised to see the following in my mailbox from the Tin Ceiling this morning:

The reviews for Titus are in!

“Titus Andronicus receives a compelling staging from director Robert Strasser…”  Paul Friswold, River Front Times
“Alan David, I think, stands out especially as the exquisitely villainous Aaron.  Small, slender, agile, terribly focused, and with intense eyes and a wickedly beautiful smile, he is simply perfection in this role…”  Steve Callahan, KDHX Radio
“there is fun to be had listening to some of the poetry, trying to figure out whether the wily Titus is really mad or just faking it, and watching it all play out…” Andrea Braun, Playback:stl
“There’s so little onstage that every single detail, every twinge of agony, hits home.” Judith Newmark, St. Louis Post Dispatch

< Vanity > Some of them even mentioned the humble editor, which was rather kind:

“I did read the play (once!) but I don’t remember the script well enough to comment on Damien Samways’ editing, other than to say that whatever he cut and/or clarified had to have been an improvement.” Andrea Braun, Playback:stl

Well, of course it was improved! Tsk. This isn’t amateur night.

“Shakespeare’s bloody and awkward Titus Andronicus receives a compelling staging from director Robert Strasser and editor Damien Samways, who navigate the plot holes with a clear emphasis on story over logic” Paul Friswold, River Front Times

But, as much as I’d like to take full credit for this production, the directing, casting, set design and Derrek Simmon’s perpetually excellent artwork (oil on canvas, for sale), just might possibly have eclipsed my own stellar contribution to performance art.

BTW, the show runs for another two weeks!!! so be sure to go and see it. I’m going again to make notes on what else we could “deftly trim” from this play before Robert takes it on tour to Paris. The French have a very short attention span, you see; it’s all that Moliére they’re subjected to from birth. < / Vanity >