Play Plautus

Titus Maccius Plautus (ca. 254- ca. 184 BC) is considered one of the major comic poets in Roman literature. He is particularly famed for his adaptations of Greek comedies catering to the coarser tastes of Roman audiences and his insertions of songs and frequently explicitly erotic dances in his works. Today, only 21 of the over one hundred works attributed to him are considered genuine and actually penned by the poet himself.
Rolf Wilken and Hans-Joachim Wunderlich compiled a humorous pasticcio entitled “Posse mit Gesang und Musik” containing motifs from these 21 comedies by Plautus. All major protagonists from the comedies are assembled here and incorporated in a humorous plot focusing on Plautus’ favourite topic with a satirical twist: a biting criticism of the wealthy and the – ever-successful – attempt on the part of the less well-off to grab a piece of the cake. The accompanying music plays a limited role, consisting of several rousing dance interludes and chansonesque songs.