Review: Titus Tackles Serious Issues at the Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences takes a bold leap in bringing this one man show from Red Bridge Arts in Scotland. Titus, a show recommended for audiences 12 and up tackles serious issues that unfortunately in today's society, children may face.

The titular character, played with enormous passion by Gavin Jon Wright, is standing on the edge of his school roof. As he teeters on the edge, he creates fanciful stories of pig who fall in love, or his Olympic medalist mom. These stories help him cope with loss and isolation. His deceased mother, "living on an island," he tells us leaves a whole in heart. His father sits alone and cries for hours, leaving young Titus to fend for himself. He tells the story of holding his Gran's enormous hand, but she too leaves Titus. He tells of his doctor, the bad-breath Dr. Richard Head, who tries to give Titus a way to cope.

Stories like Titus is not something you would expect a Theater for Young Audiences to take on, but it is absolutely necessary. Especially with children today, in our social media age, being surrounded by unfortunate YouTube suicides, or Netflix's "13 Reasons Why", shows like this are essential for young audiences, and I applaud the Kennedy Center for taking a risk and bringing this brilliant and poignant show across the pond.

The sole performer, Mr. Wright, is brilliant. He has the look of a young Damian Lewis, with a big comedic heart. Playing a child, actors can fall into big gesture stereotypes, but Mr. Wright masterfully plays the subtly in the performance and (literally) stands on the edge of the roof not sure whether he wants to take the final step. In addition, he "play acts" the characters in his life just as a child would, but with enough brevitas to add an emotional depth.

Likewise, director Lu Kemp beautifully sets the scene with a simple school desk and lamp, which Titus uses as his "roof". The brilliant concept asks us the question: "Is life beautiful?" As Titus answers this question, he thinks back to what his mom told him and remembers that even though life has given him lemons, he has enough to make lemonade.

Titus plays through May 21, 2017 at the Kennedy Center Family Theatre. Visit the Kennedy Center for tickets and the remainder of their season.

Photographs by BrIan Hartley, courtesy of Red Bridge Arts

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