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Th’Unguarded Duncan and Theatre Works present

Titus Andronicus
by William Shakespeare

A nightmarish and surreal telling of Shakespeare’s most violent play.

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.

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, this electric ensemble piece runs for a limited season as part of the With Theatre Works 2025 programming. A cautionary tale for our times, pitting revenge and cruelty against resilience and tenderness, don’t miss the opportunity to witness Shakespeare’s ultra-violent tragedy strike the Theatre Works stage this November.

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.

Theatre Works is a vibrant hub for creative expression, fostering the development and presentation of innovative and daring performances. Committed to supporting the next generation of artists and engaging audiences with powerful storytelling, the organisation is vital to Australia’s cultural landscape. Titus Andronicus is playing as part of the With Theatre Works programming stream.

Directed by Kevin Hopkins and Claire Nicholls
Performed by Belle White, Helen Hopkins, Jake Crawford, James Cerche, James William, Jessica Stanley, Joanna Halliday, Josh Morrison, Joshua Monaghan, Rajendra Moodley, Scott Jackson, Seon Williams, and Victoria Haslam
Lighting Design by Kevin Hopkins and Claire Nicholls
Set Design by Greg Carroll, Kevin Hopkins and Claire Nicholls
Costumes by Paulina Kostov (Prague) and Australian Shakespeare Company
Original Music by Max Hopkins
Publicity by Sassy Red PR

13 – 22 November 2025
Tues – Sat 7:30pm
Preview: Thursday 13 November
Opening Night: Friday 14 November
Tickets: $48 Full, $38 Concession, $28 Preview, $25 Mob Tix (+bf)
Bookings: www.theatreworks.org.au/2025/titus-andronicus
Enquiries: (03) 9534 3388
Venue: Theatre Works – 14 Acland Street St Kilda
www.theatreworks.org.au

Duration: 90 minutes no interval
Age suitability: 15+
Warnings: Mature themes, stylised depictions of violence and sexual assault, themes of racial discrimination, smoke/haze
Accessibility: Theatre Works is a wheelchair accessible venue. A full access guide will be available closer to the date