Titus Andronicus: Blood and Ballet

Titus Andronicus, that epic tale of vengeance set in 4th century Rome, is widely-regarded as Shakespeare's most violent play, with rampant and excessive scenes of murder, dismemberment, torture, filicide, rape, exsanguination, blood-filled pies and even the execution of a clown. It would be almost hilarious in its hyperbole if the play itself weren't so deadly and gruesomely serious.

And although not traditionally performed as a ballet (you can probably imagine why; stumps are hard to dance with, after all), Dominic Walsh Dance Theater has adapted Titus Andronicus for their stage at Zilkha Hall, where the world premiere will take tonight, Thursday, October 16th, at 7:30 p.m. Performances will also take place on Friday, October 17th and Saturday, October 18th.

Prior to Titus Andronicus, the company performed a popular adaption of Sleeping Beauty that cast the central character as drug addict with narcolepsy. Dominic Walsh's newest adaptation of Titus Andronicus promises more than just blood and gore, though: this updated tale of hatred and revenge is set in an airport security screening room and will feature luxurious costumes and a haunting score, courtesy of Two Star Symphony. Clearly, this will be the kind of ballet that will beg questions and curiosity.

Tomorrow night, however, you'll have the opportunity to ask those questions as the Dominic Walsh Dance Theater holds their first-ever Friday Night Casting Couch. For the price of a ticket to the ballet -- $40 -- you'll be invited onto the stage after the performance for drinks and discussion with the performers and dancers themselves. The evening will offer a unique opportunity not only to see a groundbreaking performance, but also to discuss the performance afterwards with the artists themselves. Now how often do you get to do that?

To get your tickets, simply call the Dominic Walsh Dance Theater at 713.652.3938 or visit them online at www.dwdt.org, and be prepared for an evening at the ballet unlike any you've ever experienced.

Titus Andronicus
Friday Night Casting Couch
October 17th, 7:30 p.m.
Zilkha Hall
Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
800 Bagby
713.652.3938

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Photo courtesy of www.dwdt.org.