A nightmarish and surreal telling of Shakespeare’s most violent play, Th’Unguarded Duncan and Theatre Works presents Titus Andronicus this November.
Titus, the Roman General, has returned from war, victorious against the Goths. With their Queen, Tamora, and her sons in tow as prisoners, he publicly executes her eldest child as retribution for the death of his own sons.
Filled with a bloody rage after her pleas for the life of her son fell on deaf ears, Tamora embarks on an obliterating journey of revenge that will leave few untouched.
Brought to life by a remarkable ensemble, this dynamic story of vengeance challenges our need to redress the wrongs in our lives. Undoubtedly Shakespeare’s most violent tale, Titus Andronicus asks a powerful question: Is revenge worth it?
Featuring international artist and Prague Shakespeare Company Associate Director Josh Morrison in the titular role, Titus Andronicus is a cautionary tale for our times, pitting revenge and cruelty against resilience and tenderness.
Th’Unguarded Duncan is a creative collaboration between Kevin Hopkins and Claire Nicholls. Their relationship with the Prague Shakespeare Company has enabled them to explore Shakespeare in a unique way as Australian artists and has led them to craft a style that is distinctly physical and ensemble based.
Since 2019, Th’Unguarded Duncan has developed classes and coaching in ‘Psychophysical Actor Training, incorporating elements of Asian acting methodologies, moving meditations, and martial arts, which often inform its productions.
First staged in 2023 in the Czech Republic and co-produced with the Prague Shakespeare Company, Th’Unguarded Duncan now invites audiences to the Australian premiere season of this hellish tale.
Director: Kevin Hopkins, Claire Nicholls | Featuring: Belle White, Helen Hopkins, Jake Crawford, James Cerche, James William, Jessica Stanley, Joanna Halliday, River Stevens, Josh Morrison, Rajendra Moodley, Scott Jackson, Seon Williams, Victoria Haslam | Lighting Design: Kevin Hopkins, Claire Nicholls | Set Design: Greg Carroll, Kevin Hopkins, Claire Nicholls | Costumes: Paulina Kostov (Prague), Australian Shakespeare Company | Original Music: Max Hopkins
Titus Andronicus
Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda
Season: 14 – 22 November 2025 (preview: 13 November)
Information and Bookings: www.theatreworks.org.au
Image: Claire Nicholls – photo by Steven Mitchell Wright