See it if you like Monte Python genre political satire and understand parallel to current political events, English spoken rapidly, and Roman history.
Don't see it if you cannot sit for 2 hrs. with 1 interval, do not understand English spoken rapidly or political satire, or prefer musicals to comedy/drama. Read more
See it if you relish intelligent tragicomedies inspired by historical events that, under cover of satire, transmit a profound message.
Don't see it if if plays that straddle the satirical and philosophical realms by using characters from Roman antiquity would not appeal to you.
See it if you have an interest in Theater of the Absurd, Brecht’s descendants, philosophical theater, parables of power or the postwar European psyche
Don't see it if you have no taste for theater that is not a naturalistic story. Read more
See it if you are interested in Roman history that is heightened, exaggerated and presented as farce. Broadway quality set and design.
Don't see it if you have no interest in history or works by the great Swiss author, Friedrich Dürrenmatt and if you don't want to laugh at the absurdity.
See it if You enjoy the drawn out lead up to a punchline and an intense enndig.
Don't see it if You are not ready to sit through the slower first act and to enjoy the build up to the 'punchline'. Read more
See it if Large cast in wonderful costumes romps through the late Roman Empire. Adaptation of a German play that reads like a Shaw history play.
Don't see it if over-acting bothers you, but it's part of the satire. Some of the script is repetitive. The Emperor's fondness for chickens is priceless.
See it if It's funny at times. I mean if you're interested in the time. But you don't really have to even like the time to see this.
Don't see it if Well it's kind of long and if you really hate this time Read more
See it if You want a non-historical, satire of old politics that's relevant to new politics. You want to see a rarely-seen classical play.
Don't see it if You prefer contemporary political satire. You want a revised classical play. You want an equally trained classical cast-some good, some not. Read more
“The spirit on stage, where Chika Shimizu’s geometrically spare set incorporates palace and chicken coop with a feel for pop-art imperium, is farcical and more than a little absurdist. Especially with that opening dance routine...The play, perhaps, invites immediate analogy to whatever conditions it is produced under...English translation by Nellhaus, which can feel a bit talky rather than succinct at times, making some actors spit out lines too quickly for good diction.”
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