Gladiators, slaves in abundance, and that lion in your hair kind of feeling. So what would be uppermost in your mind? Ideally you would want to be master; free to have a houseful of slaves and go about your business. Did I say ideally? But this is theatre! And Boston Operatic Society have other ideas… Enter Pseudolus (David Duffey) and he wants his freedom. He hooks the audience from the beginning with his wanting. His blast of "Comedy tonight" is dynamic. His young and very innocent master Hero (Jamie Clarricoates) has fallen in love. He has promised Pseudolus freedom if he will help him get the girl of his dreams. Not a tall order you might say as the girl in question is living with the other courtesans next door (very handy), a beautiful young Virgin Philia (Genna Martin) who is freshly arrived from Crete. Wonderful! Pseudolus can almost smell his freedom… Hang on though, she's promised to another and to make matters worse her intended is a Roman Soldier, Miles Gloriosus (Tony Smith) who just happens to be on his way to collect his prize. The dealer in courtesans, Lycus (Chick Henderson Smith), couldn't care less as long as he's paid (may be a loophole there then!) Senex (Stuart Bull), father of Hero, is a wine, women and song kind of guy. Preferably all at once.
His Wife Domina (Wendy Bull ) has a passion to dominate, her husband, slaves, and any other unlucky person who happens to pass by. Hysterium (Owen Davies), a house slave, as his name implies is nervous, excitable and easy to con. And finally we come to the nice old chap Erronius (John Sabberton) who just happens to wander rather confused across the stage at various times (his comic timing is exquisite) searching to and fro for his two children stolen by pirates many years before... A sleeping draft, plague, funeral and a series of comical twists, are nothing short of inventive comedy, excellent timing, romantic entanglements and cover ups.
The final twist. Remember the kidnapped children? They turn out to be
Philia (Genna Martin) and Miles (Tony Smith)! Hero gets his bride and Pseudolus gets his freedom. The whole cast were a dream their professional delivery impressive along with the set, lighting and costumes. Sondheim’s lyrics received full justice by the Orchestra.
The courtesans display their very own particular talents in a hilarious dance routine much to the shock of innocent Hero and the delight of Pseudolus. "Everybody ought to have a maid" performed by Senex, Pseudolus, Hysterium and Lycus was pure West End material…Brilliant! Hysterium (Owen Davis) however won my heart. He was hilarious. And I fell in love with him! A truly wonderful comic actor.
A different kind of show for Boston Operative Society. And they pulled it off with great aplomb. A musical comedy to beat all comedies.
Boston Operatic Society.
Blackfriars Arts Centre.
Boston.
Lincolnshire.
November 20th to 25th from 7.30pm. Boston Operatic Society, Sondheim & Titus! Was founded in 1964. Performing at Blackfriars since 1976. Stephen Sondheim
Born 1930 in New York. Oscar Hammerstein II had considerable influence in his earlier life teaching him musical theatre and songwriting.
Stephen at the age of 25 went on to write the lyrics amongst others to West Side story. Since then he has devoted his life to composing and writing lyrics for various musicals Stage, Film and TV.
Awards have been many including Tony, Grammy, and a Pulitzer Prize. Titus Maccius Plautus
Born in the third Century B.C. A comedy dramatist well esteemed by the Romans.
He travelled performing theatrical farces. He became a Roman soldier for a while.
At 45 he started writing comedies. Much of his work adapted by many playwrights. | 
