The blood of Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus will be spilled on the Tom Patterson Theatre stage at the Stratford Festival June 27, one of several openings this week at the Ontario institution.

Richard Rose directs a staging that suggests the militaristic Italian society of the 1920s and '30s.

James Blendick appears in the title role, with Timothy Askew (Bassanius), Damien Atkins, Robert Benson, Evan Buliung, Tim Campbell, Diane D'Aquila, Marion Day (as Lavinia), John Dolan, Paul Dunn, Jerry Franken, Aaron Franks, Xuan Fraser, Lewis Gordon, Robert Hamilton, Peter Hutt (Marcus), Haysam Kadri, Florence MacGregor, Thom Marriott, Andy Pogson, Rami Posner, Michel Protti, Phillip Psutka, Nicolas Van Burek, Michael Wacholtz and Scott Wentworth (Saturnius).

Designers are Teresa Przybylski (set), Charlotte Dean (costume), Graeme S, Thomson (lighting), Todd Charlton (sound), and fight direction by James Binkley.

Previews began June 8. Performances continue in repertory through Sept. 30. For information about the prestigious southern Ontario Stratford Festival, call (800) 567-1600.

-- By Kenneth Jones