Zoo Southside
Aug 9-13, 15-20, 22-27 (20:20)

Similia Similibus Curantur

Rome! Rome! Rome! So much history and intrigue fills the imagination with ideas of love, fine living and prosperity. History teaches us that while peace is a great idea, history is actually an extremely violent place, and the proof can be witnessed in Andronicus Synecdoche, the incredible play brought to us by Polish company ‘The Song of the Goat.’ Hosted by the beautiful auditorium that is the Zoo Southside, this piece of theatrical genius explores the darker side of Romans Emperors and their continuous struggle for power and control.

The inspiration behind Andronicus was Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus, adapted with a new & diverse approach by 12 electrifying cast members, who continually had the audience transfixed at every moment. The room was dark and had an eerie feel to it; the anticipation was to be felt throughout the whole theater; silent and engaged the atmosphere was magical. Like a runaway train, Andronicus takes us on a journey full of suspense, rage, hate, love and the most important ingredient – war and ultimate death. With every turn and move the cast was accompanied by an harrowing and echoing music that pushed the actors into a more deadly state adding to the intensity that was evolving in front of us.

Titus, Tomora, Queen of the Goths and Lavinia all featured highly in this production. Like each link in a chain they serve a purpose, each with their own strength and weaknesses, and it soon becomes clear that this chain must be broken, at any cost. With a simple yet empowering stage set, each character delivers a mesmerizing performance and besides who needs big props when you can act as brilliantly as the cast proved they can, while at all times he choreography was precise and executed with professional excellence.

Delivering verse after verse of haunting. yet heart warming opera style vocals, the hairs on my arms were reaching for the heavens, a place destined for some who seek revenge in Andronicus. Your son could maybe burn like a stick of incense; your tongue maybe be removed; and a 1,000 cuts may cover your body – but truth is blacker than death & that’s the price you must pay for the struggle for power.

This tale delivers on all fronts; lust, sex, violence, treason, revenge, death, destruction of souls, scaring, wounding, deceit, conflict and betrayal – all of which have been stirred up into a cocktail of theatrical mastery. The result is a bloodbath of Emperors and Villains, with no real winners or losers other than the cast members and production of The Song of the Goat.

An amazing and entertaining piece of theater that will have an audience pining for more. A must see at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Andronicus Synecdoche might even evoke some present day similarities to the world we live in. The continuous fight to be the one on top…

Raymond Speedie