PHAMALY

synopsis

Inspired by the farces of the ancient Roman playwright Plautus (251–183 BC) — specifically Pseudolus, Miles Gloriosus and Mostellaria — it tells the bawdy story of a slave named Pseudolus and his attempts to win his freedom by helping his young master woo the girl next door. The plot displays many classic elements of farce, including puns, a two-tiered set with many doors, cases of mistaken identity (frequently involving characters disguising themselves as one another), and satirical comments on social class. The title derives from the line that vaudeville comedians often used to begin a story: "A funny thing happened on the way to the theater..."