Montford Park
Players, an
Asheville theatrical tradition, is proud to announce their upcoming
production of Titus Andronicus by William Shakespeare. The
performances will be held at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheater, located at 92 Gay
Street in the heart of the Montford region of Asheville, from July 8th
through July 30th on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings at 7:30pm.
This performance like ALL of Montford Park Players’ shows will be absolutely
FREE to attend.
Titus Andronicus was last performed by Montford
Park Players in 2009. This incarnation will be directed by Michael MacCauley,
best known for his work as an actor with NC Stage Company, but who has over 30
productions of Shakespeare’s works under his belt as actor or director. This
will be MacCauley’s first foray directing for Montford, and the whole company
is abuzz at having someone with such Shakespearean bona fides create this stark
world for the large stage at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre.
“Michael
not only brings a great resume and knowledge to work here,” say Montford Park
Players’ Artistic Director, Scott Keel. “He also brings a startling vision to
this particular play that we are all very excited about.”
MacCauley’s
vision includes “the sheer blood, gore, and wild abandon make this play a
visual and verbal feast of madness and passion.” (This is NOT a show for the
little ones.) He says, “This is
Shakespeare in his early days, finding his voice, and letting it all hang out.
It is almost Absurdist in the extremes to which it goes. Great fun!”
MacCauley goes on to add, “This is a post-apocalyptic ancient Rome; a world
decimated by years of unrelenting war. A world where all color is gone, except
the red blood that flows without cease. A black and white world of extremes.”
The
plot revolves around the
titular Roman General returning from a bloody war with the Goths. He kills the
Queen of the Goth’s eldest son as payment for his own sons, lost in the war.
This sets off a series of bloody revenge, rape, slaughter, cannibalism, and
other atrocities of war and madness. (Again, NOT for young children.)
The tragedy premiered in the winter
of 1594 and is a favorite of classical actors and scholars alike, but because
of its bloodiness and heavy themes, the play is not often performed, even by
established Shakespeare houses, such as Montford Park Players. Montford urges
both their regulars and the curious to not miss this rare opportunity.
The show will star lauded Asheville
actors Jason Williams, Stephanie Hickling Beckman, and Tracy Johnston-Crum,
among many other Montford Park Payers favorites.
Montford
Park Players, has been presenting Shakespeare and other classical works to the
Asheville community since 1973, and has since grown to be one of Western North
Carolina’s most beloved and well-known cultural attractions.
For more information or to reserve seats, go to montfordparkplayers.org, or call at (828) 254-5146.
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