Montford Park Players present “Titus Andronicus” in July
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 8ththrough 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.