Rome: English entertainment and The Miracle Players

We spent an entertaining hour early on a recent Friday evening watching a production of Cleopatra by a group called the Miracle Players.  The Miracle Players are English speaking actors that write and perform shortened comic theater based on Roman history.  This years' play incorporates some actual dialogue from Shakespeare's play, but the emphasis is (always) on the comic, as it looks at the relationships of Julius, Cleo and Tony (Mark Antony).  The performance is free (donations accepted) and takes place near the Mamertine Prison on Friday evenings throughout the month of July.  The performances are witty and short (about 45 minutes) aiming to appeal to audiences of all ages. The Mamertine Prison is located next to the Roman forum so the ruins act as free (and beautiful) scenery for their productions.  According to tradition (or legend depending on your view) the Mamertine Prison is where Paul and Peter were imprisoned and is worthy of a visit unto itself.  We highly recommend them, for more info see The Miracle Players

The play begins...

Ptolomy present the head of Pompey

Cleo seduces Caesar

La Bocca della Verita

Cleo give a feckless Mark Antony Caesar's obit to read

The Miracle Players take their bows