Booklet "Titus Andronicus" - Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office ...

4 July 2013, 19:30, Admiralspalast-Studio, Berlin
Production: Tang Shu-wing Theatre Studio, Hong Kong
Presenter: Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin

Synopsis and Cast
The great Roman General Titus Andronicus encountered his cruelest fate during his triumphant
return from the battle with the Goths. His innocent daughter, Lavinia, was raped and mutilated by
the two sons of Tamora, the Gothic Queen. His two sons lost their lives because of the trickery of
Aaron, the beloved slave of Tamora. His remaining son, Lucius, was also forced into exile. On the
edge of madness, Titus began his bloody revenge. He trapped the two sons of Tamora and baked
their heads into a pie……
Production by:
Director and Adaptor:
Translator:
Producer:
Cast (in order of appearance)
Musician:
Titus Andronicus:
Tamora:
Aaron:
Demetrius:
Chiron:
Lucius Andronicus:
Quintus Andronicus:
Martius Andronicus:
Lavinia:
Marcus Andronicus:
Saturninus:
Bassianus:
Costume Designer:
Lighting Designer:
Production Manager:
Stage Manager and Tour Manager:
Deputy Stage Manager:
Assistant Stage Manager:
Assistant to Director:
Act I
Tang Shu-wing Theatre Studio
Tang Shu-wing
Rupert Chan
Phoebe Chuk Nga-yin
Kenneth Sham Kin-yu
Andy Ng Wai-shek
Ivy Pang Ngan-Ling
Chu Pak-Hong
Guthrie Yip Wing-wong
Eric Tang Chi-kin
Rocky Wong Kwok-Kei
Terrance Lau Chun-Hin
Aska Leung Ka-wai
Lai Yuk-ching
Franky Mcnugget
Masu Wong Siu-fai
Jam Cheng Ka-Chun
Ricky Chi Kuen, Chan
Bert Yue Hang, Wong
Kan Hoi Ming, Kwan
Pui Shan, Hung
Bert Yue Hang, Wong
Joanna Ivy Bernardo
Louie Hiu Shan, Lai
Titus Andronicus defeat Rome’s enemies and returns with captives. Despite a desperate plea from
Tamora, Titus orders Tamora’s eldest son be ritually sacrificed. Rome’s new King wants Lavinia as
his empress. Bassianus, revolts against this, claiming that Lavinia is betrothed to him. He spirits her
away, with the aid of Lavinia’s remaining brothers. Being publicly humiliated, Saturninus finally
chooses Tamora as his bride.
Act II
Chiron and Demetrius are quarreling over their attraction to Lavinia, Aaron suggests a plan
whereby both may satisfy their lust for her. Titus with his three sons and Marcus are planning the
hunt for the royal party. Aaron away from the hunting party, Tamora arrives and lusts for him.
The couple is spotted in their physical intimacy by Bassianus and Lavinia. Demetrius and Chiron
arrive, kill Bassanius and rape Lavinia. Leading by Aaron, Quintus and Martius fall into the pit
where Chiron and Demetrius left Bassianus’ body. Saturninus blames Titus’ sons in the pit for the
murder plan. Chiron and Demetrius enter with a ravished Lavinia, whose hands and tongue they
have cut off in order to prevent her from revealing the perpetrators of the crime. The wretched
girl is discovered by Marcus.
Act III
Titus entreats the judges who are leading his sons away to spare their lives for the sake of his war
efforts and age. They ignore him. Aaron enters with the message that if either Titus, Marcus or
Lucius cuts off one of their own hands, the Emperor will spare Titus’ sons. The message turns out
to be a trick. Titus feeds his daughter while he deciphers the sorrow behind her mimed actions.
Titus asks Lavinia and Marcus to look for books of ancient tragic stories which he wants to read.
Act IV
With a book, Lavinia shows to her father and uncle what has been done to her. Marcus urges her
to carve the name of the culprits in the sand. Tamora gives birth to black baby. Aaron roars to the
defense of his son. He decides to return to the Goths to protect his son.Titus brings family to shoot
arrows at the constellations. Lucius has gathered an army of Goths and is already advancing on
Rome. Saturninus flies into a panic. Tamora promises him that she can enchant Titus to entreat
Lucius to desist in his war efforts.
Act V
A Goth soldier has discovered the fugitive Aaron, along with his baby.
Aaron makes a bargain with Lucius to preserve the child in exchange
for Aaron’s knowledge of all the horrors that have occurred. Tamora
and her sons appear to Titus in disguise, masquerading as Revenge
and her attendants Rape and Murder. Upon Tamora’s departure, Titus
gets his kinsmen to bind the two young Goths. Lucius arrives with Marcus
and Aaron at his father’s house. Saturninus
enters with his empress. Titus asks Saturninus
if Virginius, a heroic Centurion, should have
slain his daughter because she had been
raped; Saturninus responds that a girl
should not survive her shame.
At this, Titus kills Lavinia.
The Emperor is horrified
but Titus claims that her real
killers are Chiron and Demetrius. When
Saturninus calls for them to be brought
out, Titus replies that they are already
present, in the dishes from which
Tamora has already eaten. With
this revelation he stabs the
Empress. The Emperor kills Titus.
Lucius kills the Emperor.

Tang Shu-wing Theatre Studio
Tang Shu-wing Theatre Studio, a registered charity, was formerly known as No Man’s Land which
was founded in 1996. The company has the vision to contribute to the rapidly developing local
creative industry by creating long run landmark productions for the city of Hong Kong as well as
promoting international cultural exchange. It positions itself as a centre for theatre research and
creation based on the artistic direction of physical theatre and minimalist aesthetics. The works
of the company include Titus Andronicus 2.0 (Singapore Huayi Festival 2011), Next Generations
(2010, co-production with Drama Box, Singapore), Titus Andronicus (2012) and Detention (2011,
formerly known as Beating the Classroom).
Tang Shu-wing
Tang studied acting in l’Ecole de la Belle de Mai and theatre studies in the Université de la
Sorbonne Nouvelle in Paris in late 1980s and has worked as assistant director and actor in Théâtre
de la Main d’Or before returning to Hong Kong in 1992. He is the current artistic director of Tang
Shu-wing Theatre Studio Tang has directed over forty productions of drama, dance and opera.
He is a current honorary advisor of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, Hong Kong Dance
Company and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin
The Government of the HKSAR
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) is the official representation
of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to Germany and seven other Central
European countries, namely Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic,
Slovenia and Switzerland. Set up under the Basic Law of the HKSAR and the working principle
of “One Country, Two Systems”, our mission is to promote bilateral ties between Hong Kong and
the eight countries covered by our office, particularly as regards economic, trade, investment and
cultural matters.
We promote Hong Kong’s economic and trade interests in Central Europe by enhancing
understanding of Hong Kong among opinion-formers, closely monitor developments that might
affect Hong Kong’s economic and trading interests, and liaise closely with the host governments,
business and commercial sectors, and the media. Our InvestHK unit provides up-to-date information
for European businesses interested in investing in Hong Kong or in establishing a presence there.
The performance is supported by the Arts Development Fund of the Home Affairs Bureau, the
Government of the HKSAR. Titus Andronicus 2012 was commissioned by and premiered at the
2012 Hong Kong Arts Festival.
Special Sponsor: Hong Kong Arts Centre