Review: TITUS SHARKDRONICUS Combines Shakespeare and Sharks for the Fringe

Shakespeare by way of Gilligan's Island with a cast of hammy knuckleheads is what you'll get in Fiona Austin's TITUS SHARKDRONICUS. There isn't a serious bone in this fish tale's body so leave your sophistication at the door and prepare for an hour of melodrama loosely based on the plot of Titus Andronicus, but with the addition of sharks as Tamora's sons.

Since Mother Goose narrates from her beach chair on vacation, don't worry about trying to follow what the characters say. She'll recap the nonsensical scenes and set up what's coming next. It's a good solution that helps compensate for some actors whose over-the-top delivery and accelerated text speed make them hard to understand.

This was the cast's first performance and as they continue to calibrate their work on the small stage in front of an audience it should help the show's timing. The jokes aren't particularly inventive but do offer up some good laughs when they land. Regardless, Fringers will likely get a kick out of the play's intentionally lame style. It's more like beach party Bard than anything else. Pass me another Mai Tai and call it a day.

Cast: Kevin Alai (Demetrius), Fiona Austin (Mutius), Mike Austin (Marcus), Veronica Burgess (Lucius/Young Lucius), Cat Dykstra (Chiron), Camille Escareal-Garcia (Quintus), Anne French (Martius), Jo MacLachlan (Narrator), Adrienne Marquand (Tamora), Ashley Marquand (Lavinia), Eduardo Mora (Saturnius), Vernon Taylor (Aaron), Sean Scofield (Titus), and Alex Shewchuk (Bassianus). Directed by Fiona Austin.

TITUS SHARKDRONICUS
June 1 - 22, 2017
Dorie Theatre at The Complex
6476 Santa Monica Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90038
Tickets and more info: http://hff17.com/4667

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