The decay of Rome reaches violent depths in Shakespeare’s
most bloody play. Titus is a ruler exhausted by war and loss, who relinquishes
power but leaves Rome in disorder. Rape, cannibalism and severed body parts
fill the moral void at the heart of this corrupt society. Shakespeare’s gory
revenge tragedy presents us with murder as entertainment, and, as the body
count piles up, poses questions about the nature of sexuality, family, class
and society. Blanche McIntyre returns to the RSC after her debut
directing The Two Noble Kinsmen (2016).