Well, it’s Halloween season, which may account for the timing on YoungLiar’s production of Titus Androgynous. YoungLiars has a history of trying some innovative theatre, so the Usual Suspects know things will be different when they walk into a one off their shows..
It’s a farcial version of the Shakespeare play of the near-same title, although I found little to nothing actually androgynous about Titus, played by Jonah Walker. The company says there are elements of Italian commedia in it. I think a more apt reference would be grand guignol, the French theatre tradition which specialized in realistic-for-the-time horror plays.
It’s very bloody in a stage-y, joke-y way, to the point where it’s sort of amazing there’s not a Splash Zone for the first row – although be assured nothing messy got anywhere near the audience.
There are a number of rewarding things about the show, beginning with the music that opens it and continues intermittently through the evening. Paul Cereghino’s original music and fun lyrics are great fun, perhaps the best thing element of the evening. Cereghino’s on keyboards, and acts some as well. Working with him is Michael Ferguson on drums and guitar, who also did the scoring.
Chuck Harper, who directed and did the script adaptation, however, runs things at TOP VOLUME CONSTANTLY, and not just loud but at breakneck speed throughout the show. There is almost no break from that rhythm to allow the audience to follow the plot, to enjoy the language and visual jokes. This is a relatively small venue, and while everyone speaks loudly, or at least what would be loudly enough, much of the dialogue is emphasized by the percussion from Ferguson, drowning out what is being said.
The company of actors comply valiantly with the frantic pace asked of them. Much emphasis of the show is visual, and they lay into their roles with enthusiasm, gyrating hips and rolling eyes. They’re very funny. I particularly enjoyed Maggie Conroy’s Tamora, the vampy queen of the Goths, Jeff Skoblow as Old Marcus Androgynous, Titus’ father, and Erin Renee Roberts as Tamora’s lover Aaron, with her wonderfully evil laugh. It’s not their fault that the pacing is beyond manic.
The scenic design for this mayhem is from David Blake, whose efforts to protect the environment are quite in keeping with things. Maggie Conroy’s costumes, with work from Marcy Wiegert and Lola Harper, are amusing and perhaps the most subtle thing about the show.
But the overall effect is reminiscent of kicking over an anthill. It’s Shakespeare, and I’m reminded of something Elisabeth Kubler-Ross said when a patient felt guilty about being angry at God for letting the patient have a terminal illness. “God,” said Kubler-Ross, “can take it.” Shakespeare can take it, too.
YoungLiars can do, and has done, better than this. Onward to the next project.
Titus Androgynous
through November 11
YoungLiars
Centene Center
3547 Olive St.