November 27, 2007
Horrible Histories: Ruthless Romans
Using the context of two unlicensed British tour guides trying to tout for trade in modern day Rome, The Birmingham Stage Company tell the tale of the Roman Empire. A heated debate is sparked up when a rival Italian tour guide describes the Romans as ‘remarkable’. The ‘Horrible Histories’ version shows the Romans as ‘ruthless’ by leaving all the disgusting bits in, such as Nero’s execution. This is a profound lesson for the young audience in how history varies, depending on who is telling it. The energetic ensemble cast of five flies through a phenomenal number of characters and costumes under John-Paul Cherrington’s experienced direction. Alison Fitzjohn kicks the story off as vestal virgin Rhea Silva who gives birth to Romulus and Remus, twin boys fathered by Mars in a dramatic opening sequence. So many fascinating stories unfold like the triumvirate of rulers who join forces to rule for ‘the good of Rome’. The triumvirate includes Julius Caesar of whom the Italian tour guide Vito (Mehdi Rezvan) shows a huge sense of national pride and then extols the virtues of Augustus his successor. Again, it is only true to say Augustus is one of the best Emperors if in fact you are Roman!
The executions of the successive Emperors are shown with bold stage combat moves that fill the theatre with instantly wicked drama. Centurions in full armour whip the audience into shape and pick out the most promising recruit who gets to join the Roman Army on-stage. Onto a gigantic screen famous Roman landmarks are projected such as the Pantheon and a virtual tour of the Colosseum is included complete with a visit from one of the many wild beasts held in its basement. This fast-paced show entertains and educates in equal measures. The gladiator culture evolves from folk taking revenge against the murder of their loved ones after a funeral ceremony. The sport becomes so popular it begins to be performed before the funeral has taken place and professional gladiators are trained to make the occasion even more entertaining. Lots of groan out-loud jokes fall out: Why was the lion smiling? He swallowed a woman and was ‘glad he ate her’!
The recreation of the battle scenes on the screen, using ‘Bogglevision’ and wearing 3D glasses after the interval, is jaw dropping. King Caratacus’ final Welsh battle at Fort Llanymynech is particularly breathtaking as stray fireballs appear to land in the auditorium. The audience ducks as virtual arrows fly overhead from the military technology Romans develop to pelt out multiple arrows. Heads fly out of the screen in the depiction of a Celtic settlement and a spooky sea of corpses is created to depict Boudicca’s battle at the mouth of River Thames where the outnumbered Romans rule the day through their superior organisation.
There is plenty of audience participation. Cast your vote with a shout to the Anne Robinson look-alike who hosts the contest; who is the weirdest ruler? Tiberius, Caligula and Nero each state their claims. Next year the company returns with the Vile Victorians and Terrible Tudors but for now caput mundi makes the best story. It all started from those twin brothers (played by Ciaran McConville and Abi Rahman) arguing over which hill the she-wolf brought them up on, Aventine or Palatine, and ended when the ruthless Roman subjects booted out their last Emperor (also a Romulus) in 476AD. The Birmingham Stage Company came, we saw and the story conquered.
Using the context of two unlicensed British tour guides trying to tout for trade in modern day Rome, The Birmingham Stage Company tell the tale of the Roman Empire. A heated debate is sparked up when a rival Italian tour guide describes the Romans as ‘remarkable’. The ‘Horrible Histories’ version shows the Romans as ‘ruthless’ by leaving all the disgusting bits in, such as Nero’s execution. This is a profound lesson for the young audience in how history varies, depending on who is telling it. The energetic ensemble cast of five flies through a phenomenal number of characters and costumes under John-Paul Cherrington’s experienced direction. Alison Fitzjohn kicks the story off as vestal virgin Rhea Silva who gives birth to Romulus and Remus, twin boys fathered by Mars in a dramatic opening sequence. So many fascinating stories unfold like the triumvirate of rulers who join forces to rule for ‘the good of Rome’. The triumvirate includes Julius Caesar of whom the Italian tour guide Vito (Mehdi Rezvan) shows a huge sense of national pride and then extols the virtues of Augustus his successor. Again, it is only true to say Augustus is one of the best Emperors if in fact you are Roman!
The executions of the successive Emperors are shown with bold stage combat moves that fill the theatre with instantly wicked drama. Centurions in full armour whip the audience into shape and pick out the most promising recruit who gets to join the Roman Army on-stage. Onto a gigantic screen famous Roman landmarks are projected such as the Pantheon and a virtual tour of the Colosseum is included complete with a visit from one of the many wild beasts held in its basement. This fast-paced show entertains and educates in equal measures. The gladiator culture evolves from folk taking revenge against the murder of their loved ones after a funeral ceremony. The sport becomes so popular it begins to be performed before the funeral has taken place and professional gladiators are trained to make the occasion even more entertaining. Lots of groan out-loud jokes fall out: Why was the lion smiling? He swallowed a woman and was ‘glad he ate her’!
The recreation of the battle scenes on the screen, using ‘Bogglevision’ and wearing 3D glasses after the interval, is jaw dropping. King Caratacus’ final Welsh battle at Fort Llanymynech is particularly breathtaking as stray fireballs appear to land in the auditorium. The audience ducks as virtual arrows fly overhead from the military technology Romans develop to pelt out multiple arrows. Heads fly out of the screen in the depiction of a Celtic settlement and a spooky sea of corpses is created to depict Boudicca’s battle at the mouth of River Thames where the outnumbered Romans rule the day through their superior organisation.
There is plenty of audience participation. Cast your vote with a shout to the Anne Robinson look-alike who hosts the contest; who is the weirdest ruler? Tiberius, Caligula and Nero each state their claims. Next year the company returns with the Vile Victorians and Terrible Tudors but for now caput mundi makes the best story. It all started from those twin brothers (played by Ciaran McConville and Abi Rahman) arguing over which hill the she-wolf brought them up on, Aventine or Palatine, and ended when the ruthless Roman subjects booted out their last Emperor (also a Romulus) in 476AD. The Birmingham Stage Company came, we saw and the story conquered.