The Even More Lamentable Tragedy of Lavinia

by Laura Zlatos

The Even More Lamentable Tragedy of Lavinia retells Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus from Lavinia's perspective. Set in the present day, reminiscent of the late Roman Empire if the late Roman Empire had Twitter, this dark comedy reimagines Lavinia's experience of womanhood in a neo-Swiftian society (Taylor, not Jonathan) as Lavinia becomes a bad-ass vigilante who avenges the crimes committed against her, all while...

The Even More Lamentable Tragedy of Lavinia retells Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus from Lavinia's perspective. Set in the present day, reminiscent of the late Roman Empire if the late Roman Empire had Twitter, this dark comedy reimagines Lavinia's experience of womanhood in a neo-Swiftian society (Taylor, not Jonathan) as Lavinia becomes a bad-ass vigilante who avenges the crimes committed against her, all while attempting to take the perfect selfie.

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The Even More Lamentable Tragedy of Lavinia

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: The Even More Lamentable Tragedy of Lavinia by Laura Zlatos
    “

    A hilarious and just fantastic modern day adaptation of this tale from our self-absorbed social media culture! Incredibly funny!

    A hilarious and just fantastic modern day adaptation of this tale from our self-absorbed social media culture! Incredibly funny!

    ”
  • Robert Mitchell: The Even More Lamentable Tragedy of Lavinia by Laura Zlatos
    “

    Okay. I am a HUGE fan of Shakespearean/Pop Culture Mashups (having produced Fakespearean versions of the Godfather, Pulp Fiction and Buffy written by others, and Scarface, Friends, and It's Always Sunny (along with unproduced versions of Tombstone and Reservoir Dogs) written by myself AND a fan of the craziness that is Titus Andronicus (having gotten to play Titus once upon a time...). This re-imaging is simply ridiculous, full of heart and heat, and downright hilarious in its' sendup. I laughed all the way through. I highly recommend a read, and am seriously considering mounting a production...

    Okay. I am a HUGE fan of Shakespearean/Pop Culture Mashups (having produced Fakespearean versions of the Godfather, Pulp Fiction and Buffy written by others, and Scarface, Friends, and It's Always Sunny (along with unproduced versions of Tombstone and Reservoir Dogs) written by myself AND a fan of the craziness that is Titus Andronicus (having gotten to play Titus once upon a time...). This re-imaging is simply ridiculous, full of heart and heat, and downright hilarious in its' sendup. I laughed all the way through. I highly recommend a read, and am seriously considering mounting a production in the future!

    read more
    ”
  • Sarah Fenner King: The Even More Lamentable Tragedy of Lavinia by Laura Zlatos
    “

    What fun! Lavinia's eventual terrible fate brings a well-earned element of gravitas to this playful pop-culture farce. A quick-witted comedy with pith and just enough heart. The banter would sparkle on stage, and so would all that much-anticipated blood.

    What fun! Lavinia's eventual terrible fate brings a well-earned element of gravitas to this playful pop-culture farce. A quick-witted comedy with pith and just enough heart. The banter would sparkle on stage, and so would all that much-anticipated blood.

    ”
View all 5 recommendations

Character Information

  • Lavinia
    Titus's only daughter, engaged to Bassianus
    16
    Any
    Woman OR Femme/NB
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Titus
    Lavinia's father, a celebrated general
    60s
    Any
    Presents Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Marcus
    Lavinia's uncle
    40s-60s
    Any
    Presents Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Lucius
    Lavinia's brother
    20s-30s
    Any
    Presents Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Bassianus
    Lavinia's fiancé, younger brother of Saturninus
    20s
    Any
    Presents Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Saturninus
    Recently appointed Emperor of Rome
    30s-40s
    Any
    Any (but probably Male)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
  • Nurse
    Lavinia's nursemaid, Angelica
    30s-70s
    Any
    Presents Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Tamora
    former Queen of the Goths, current Empress of Rome
    late 30s-40s
    Any
    Woman OR Femme/NB
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Aaron
    Tamora’s lover, the Moor
    late 20s-40s
    Black
    Presents Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Demetrius
    Tamora's son
    20s
    Any (but probably white)
    Presents Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Chiron
    Tamora's son
    20s
    Any (but probably white)
    Presents Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Messenger
    In the service of the emperor. Can be played by one actor or multiple actors.
    Any
    Any
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Jeff Koons
    The artist (non-speaking)
    60s
    Any
    Presents Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+

Development History

  • Reading, HB Studio, 2019
  • Reading, Crashbox Theater Company, 2017

Awards

  • New American Voices Playwriting Festival
    Landing Theatre
    Semi-Finalist
    2020
  • Shakespeare's New Contemporaries
    American Shakespeare Center
    Semi-Finalist
    2020
  • ScreenCraft Stage Play Contest
    ScreenCraft
    Finalist
    2019
  • Women are Funny Prize
    Play-Makers Spokane
    Winner
    2020
  • Dr. R.J. Rodriguez Emerging Playwrights Contest
    Playhouse Creatures Theatre Company
    Finalist
    2018