A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum

The Disney-esque set serves as an exuberant backdrop to the frugal but somehow increasingly comical costumes.

Article by Marcie Hume | 15 Jul 2006
On a grey block of Glasgow, the swanky theatrical lights of the Citizens Theatre guide its audience in for some mad giggling at this high-farce musical. Even a Roman slave who sings of being free is given no serious pro-democracy treatment, but merely croons with ease. With perhaps one of the greatest character names in all of ridiculous theatre, our guide Pseudolus is played with such sweet Glaswegian tones that some of the less humorous lines get a comedy upgrade. After Pseudolus introduces the various Roman hooses, a slew of concubines present themselves, including an amazing Roman-Glaswegian, Kinga-type temptress. The Disney-esque set serves as an exuberant backdrop to the frugal but somehow increasingly comical costumes (and Hysterium even goes shopping with a Burberry bag). The characters are quite close to home, and since we cannae know how the Romans spoke, it seems possible for an evening that they might have sounded Glaswegian. [Marcie Hume]
Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, 13-17 June
The Pantheon Club.