Explore this Show
Overview
Synopsis
The Prologue invites us to hear a play by Plautus, one in which “good things I bring upon the stage; for I think 'tis very just that to the good good things should be brought.” Pseudolus tells the story of a young Athenian man, the courtesan he loves, and his witty and wily slave Pseudolus. When young Calidorus learns that the girl next door, Phoenicium, has been sold to a distant general, he is devastated. Hoping to appease the young man (and get some money on the side), Pseudolus promises to help him win the girl. But first, they need to outwit Ballio, the pimp who only cares about money and has no interest in love. Throughout the afternoon, Pseudolus makes bets, tricks servants, and enlists the help of other slaves as crafty as he is to get the girl. Using metatheatrical techniques and hilarious stock characters, Pseudolus is one of the most produced of all ancient Roman comedies, and even inspired Stephen Sondheim’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
Show Information
- Book
- Titus Plautus
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 5
- Genres
- Comedy
- Settings
- Period, Simple/No Set, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- Ancient Athens, city street
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, High School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Late Teen, Young Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Silent |
|
|
Featured |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress