Five members of the audience at a performance of Shakespeare's bloodiest play, Titus Andronicus at The Globe fainted at the gruesome scenes

With scenes of rape, mutilation, murder and cannibalism the play has earned the reputation of being the Bard's bloodiest tragedy

As Lavinia ¿ whose tongue and hands are cut off after she is raped ¿ appeared on stage, five people fainted, while others complained of feeling sick and fearing sleepless nights

The play, a revival of Lucy Bailey's 2006 production, opened the Globe 2014 season with the offer of witnessing 'one of the darkest and most seminal production's in the Globe's history'.

Audience members were warned in advance that the production would be 'grotesquely violent and daringly experimental'.

It is described as a ‘terrible cycle of mutilation, rape and murder’.

In 2006, at the height of summer dozens of people who bought standing tickets are said to have fainted at each show.



Actress Flora Spencer-Longhurst who plays Lavinia in the current production, cut a terrifying figure in a bloody gown.

A Globe spokesman said: ‘We had five people faint during a particularly gory scene.



'Fainting isn’t exactly uncommon amongst Globe groundlings [those with £5 standing tickets] so our front-of-house staff are very well trained.

‘Shakespeare definitely didn’t pull any punches... it is a brutally violent play and this production is a bloody, exhilarating, incense-laden feast for the senses. But not one for the squeamish.’

Miss Spencer-Longhurst, said: 'Despite my character having her tongue ripped out it is the most articulate role I have ever played.'

The gruesome scenes prov oked a flurry of reviews on Twitter, with audience members sharing their thoughts at the evening's production.

The play, which stars actress Flora Spencer-Longhurst as Lavinia, is a revival of Lucy Bailey's 2006 production. It opened the Globe 2014 season with the offer of witnessing 'one of the darkest and most seminal production's in the Globe's history' Samuel Edward-Cook, Indira Varma and Brian Martin as Rape Revenge and Murder with William Houston as Titus Andronicus William Houston plays Titus (left and centre right) in the production of the Bard's play currently at The Globe



Writer Helen Chandler, tweeted after the performance: 'Two people fainted at this evening's performance of Titus Andronicus at The Globe. Best value entertainment in London by a bloody mile.'

Another, Laura Hutchison, said: 'Definitely feeling a few violent dreams coming on after watching the bloodbath that is Titus Andronicus @The— Globe this evening ...'

Hannah Hughes, a photographic assistant living in London, said: 'Titus Andronicus @The—Globe — so much sunlight, SO MUCH BLOOD.'

Steve Slack, a museum consultant from London, said: 'Titus Andronicus as @The—Globe has so much blood there have been quite a few 'droppers'* this evening. *official Globe terminology.'

Shakespeare's tragedy is set in the days of the Roman Empire, and tells the story of the Roman general Titus.

It features a scene where Titus murders the sons of his rival Tamora, Queen of the Goths, before feeding their remains to her in a pie.