Word: romulus
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1960-1969
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
DUNSTER'S production of the Durrenmatt-Gore Vidal play Romulus excellently reflects the dual nature of the work. It reminds one of many French plays (especially those of Cocteau, Anouilh and Giraudoux) both witty and superficial on one hand, and intensely intellectual and philosophical on the other. The problem of mounting such a production on the amateur level is obvious: the recruitment of actors to perform characters who can simultaneously embrace these conflicting elements...
...Romulus is the last emperor of Rome. As a symbol he represents the highest consciousness of the epitome of Roman decadence. His hyper-intellectual views are in opposition to the blind devotion, "pro patria" attitude of his court. He feels obliged to affect Rome's end, because he sees through its facade of greatness. He is a Superman in mind but not in charisma...
...Romulus wife Julia is at the head of the conservative court. Her stock responses to the complex political issues are marvelously portrayed by Innes McDade. When she appears, one is immediately drawn to her by her remarkable stage presence...
...conflict between idealism and materialism is expressed in the confrontation between Otto Rupf, head of the international trouser company, and Romulus. The gruffly energetic portrayal of Rupf by Rich Anderson overemphasized this already obvious distinction...
...Romulus deserves attention as being one cut above the average house production both in the seriousness of its intent and in the general success of the execution. Jason Kanter, the director, succeeds to a great extent in managing the unruly elements of the script, and, with the help of Chris Ripman's set, his production ends up being close to the theatrical equivalent of a Roman banquet...