This year's Classics Play was the comedy 'The Haunted House' by Plautus. The play focuses upon the scheming slave Tranio's attempts (including the invention of a haunted house) to disguise from his old master the prodigality of the latter's son. The complex plot of deception and confusion is finally resolved in reconciliation and forgiveness.
This was a most amusing production. From the entrance of Grumio (Ben Hollis) and Tranio (Jethro Waldron) the audience was entertained. Grumio appeared convincingly as the loyal slave, thus providing a foil to Tranio who quickly established himself as the clever, but corrupt slave who was more than willing to fool his master through his cunning.
Jack Gelsthorpe evidently enjoyed the role of Philolaches, Theopropides' wayward son. Whilst observing the object of his desire, Philematium (Kaishini Jobling), he casually commented that he would happily sell his father, if it meant pleasing her. This provoked much laughter from the audience, which was invited to enjoy a world turned upside down; however, the comment would not have been taken so lightly at the time the play was written! Kaishini Jobling conveyed a real sense of Philematium’s devotion to her future husband, which was skillfully off-set by Olivia Vernon’s performance as the cynical Scapha; a character with whom the majority of the female audience could clearly identify.
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Richard Hill’s entrance as Callidamates was one of the most comical moments of the production, as he swaggered, drunkenly, across the stage whilst being supported by his lover, Delphium (Jenny Bowen). The pair provided the perfect comedy duo and their performance was only rivaled by that of Phaniscus (Isaac Murdy) and Pinacium (Jack O’Neill) who invited the audience to revel in Pinacium’s ill considered, and rather unconventional, efforts to break into the supposedly haunted house without being detected by the loyal Phaniscus.
Efekan Dundar’s pleasing performance as Misargyrides, the miserly moneylender, forced the audience to consider the more serious consequences of Philolaches’s errant ways and his lack of personal responsibility. However, Tranio tricked Theopropides (James Tamplin) into re-paying his son’s debt. Once again, the audience enjoyed witnessing the slave outwitting the master.
By the conclusion of the play, the fun and mischief of Tranio and Philolaches was forgiven by Theopropides and order was restored.
Everyone involved contributed to a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Ana Djordjevic and Andy Swithinbank should be congratulated.
