By Eden Elizabeth
Forgotten Lore Theatre is presenting “Titus Andronicus: A Wilderness of Tigers” at The Fallser Club, 3721 Midvale Ave. Philadelphia, through Sept. 17. When you walk into this Philadelphia Fringe production, you are greeted with a memento of your faction. There are four different factions and from there you follow that character’s view of the action! The four are the Andronci, the Emperor’s Court, The Goths and the Goddesses.
I followed with the Emperor’s Court and specifically our main focus was Saturninus, brilliantly played by Thomas-Robert Irvin. It was an incredible rendering of the tale of “Titus Andronicus” that we followed. The story included the Coronation, the betrayal, the revenge and the final blow. It was easy to keep up with the narrative, and very much appreciated as I am not very Shakespeare educated!
This was an immersive adaptation which really allowed the audience to be a part of all of the feeling, the action, and the drama. It’s an incredible experience coming to be a brand of sorts for Forgotten Lore Theatre. The framing of this tale amongst the four different factions means that, while you don’t see every scene, the show still leaves the audience feeling that they have encountered the entire story.
As we followed around the Emperor’s Court, other audience members followed through the other factions. It was very interesting how they incorporated each of us into the scene – whether by drink or food, adding jewelry to one of us or asking us to pray with them. As an audience member, you get very caught up into the moment, and feel as though everything is actually happening. I personally was offered a jeweled necklace, a very delicious beverage, and was asked to fan the Emperor!
As you move through, it is seamless. The audience is moving in and out with perfect guides, who make sure that we are where we need to be to stay with our story. The interaction and chemistry between the characters is palpable. As you move through, scene to scene, area to area, the presentation of props and set dressing is impeccable and so authentic down to the very feather dropped to the floor by Goddess Diana beautifully portrayed by Madeline Hynes.
Audiences were captivated as we all moved through this beautiful space that is the Fallser Club. Some of us were maintaining royalty status upstairs and others downstairs in the trenches with some of the other actors. Included in these lower-level scenes were dancing, extremely well-choreographed fight scenes and a stunning display of acrobatics by Rebecca Gomezrueda… including only scarves, incredible!
There was superb handling of Shakespearian dialogue with some eloquently added bonus verbiage. Congratulations to Director R.A. Reutter; his genius made the show a pleasure to watch. Part of the beauty of this experience was that as I watched my scene unfold, I could hear the other factions’ scenes going on. And their music and fighting and screaming and laughing all added more to my scene.
Lights and sound were impeccable and on time – which is something that this reviewer is very particular about. Great job to the tech and crew!! Each and every one of these actors gave 150 percent and never broke character.
There is a very long list of actors involved and they are all insanely talented. (see below). I am very grateful for being brought into this magically interpreted production of a very well-known work of Shakespeare. It’s an abstract and immersive experience not to be missed!!
Kudos to the amazing talent which includes: Sterling Calhoun, Christopher Cauffman Cooke, Jaleel Hunter, Dan Jankauskas, Adam Landon, Andrew Lichtenwalner, Kaedon Knight, Brynne Maddrey, William R. McHattie, Kirsten Quinn, Kirk Reichart, Samantha Ricchiuti, Alex Ross, MJ Santry, T. Isaac,Sherman, McKenna Stine and Russ Walsh.
Other Nods to folks who were integral to this show:
Ilana Lo Fight/Intimacy coordinator
Luis Aguilar – Sound Design McKenna Stine
Costumes Robert Termini
Front House Manager Leo-Paul Wahl and the Backstage Crew
If You Go:
Note: This event is appropriate for ages 18+ and includes violent content and fog/smoke effects.
Remaining performances are Sept. 17 at 4 pm and 8 p.m.
Info/Tickets: Titus Andronicus: A Wilderness of Tigers – Philadelphia Fringe Festival (phillyfringe.org)