Word: ftatateeta
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Dates: during 1960-1969
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...Monkey"--have nothing going for them and should be ditched on that count. The first is corny, the second ludicrous, the third irrelevant, the fourth bad, and the fifth incomprehensible. By way of compensation, I'd suggest that if ever a name deserved to light a lyric, "Ftatateeta" does; that Caesar and Rufio might voice their contradictory opinions of vengeance and clemency in song; and that Caesar might urge Cleopatra to be a proper queen likewise. As long as Drake doesn't appear overly concerned about the incongruity of Shavian speeches and standard musical comedy numbers, he has lots...
...cast is simply too large to do its members individual justice. But special mention must be made of Sheila Hart and Arthur Friedman (Ftatateeta and Pothinus). Their overbearing presences manage to evoke most of the corruption and tension in the atmosphere of the Egyptian court. Ed Etsten (Rufio) is physically and vocally perfect as Caesar's comrade-in-arms, though his performance lacks a good deal for variety. And when Leland Moss (Brittanus) drops the strange, epicene mannerisms which he has imposed on the character of the super-sophisticated reform barbarian, he has several moments of rare and special dignity...
...turns an untrained kitten into a full-grown cat. Miss Nye is careful always to preserve her felinity -- through the way she lounges on the right paw of the Sphinx, indulges in catty grimaces, voices her petulant "But me! me!! me!!! what is to become of me?," plans Ftatateeta's murder with paw-like hands, and poses with crossed arms at the final fade-out. An occasional huskiness in her vocal delivery suggests she may even have furballs inside...
Rosemary Murphy, with a green dress and long platinum hair, and decked out with jewels and bangles, is an ominously loyal Ftatateeta, Cleopatra's chief nurse. As the King's guardian Pothinus, potbellied Patrick Hines is admirably sly and nasty. Philip Bosco is the brusque and exuberant Roman officer at Caesar's side. Richard Woods, with the prescribed blue garb and drooping mustache, is hilarious as Caesar's English secretary Britannus; he is stuffily Macmillanesque as he spouts such things as Disraell's "peace with honor...