The archaeological museum hosted a theatrical performance for lovers of Greco-Latin cultures. Miles Gloriosus, or The braggart-soldier, is a Roman comedy by Plautus. He was one of the Latin writers whose works are still preserved. Even though they were written over two thousand years ago, his texts are still an enjoyable delight for theatergoers.
This made the Almeria cultural institution one of the avenues for the Roman city Murgi. El Ejido is currently bringing to light the remains of Murgi. Eduardo Ortega created sets that simulated two houses. Old Senelio (Maria Jose Castillo), a member the Murgitian aristocracy, lived in the first. Pleubucles, (Lourdes Castillo), was a young man in passion who wanted to find his beloved.
Erotia (Cristina Martinez), his girlfriend, was just a partition away. Miles (Maria del Mar Ferri), an arrogant soldier, had taken her. He was a proud man who generated laughter and mockery, instead of causing fear everywhere he went. Because he was obsessed with Caesar’s deeds and had them recorded in history, the soldier was derided by his neighbors and slaves. This was due to his inability to respect married women and his inability to wear skirts.
The real protagonist appeared after the characters were introduced to public. Miles had also captured Palestrion, a slave Palestrion (Montse Gonzalez). This character showed how much his ingenuity can go from the very beginning. The original text of Plauto was adapted by Jose Luis Alonso de Santos. Concha Sanfrancisco directed the show. In the original text, the slave created a gap between the two dwellings to allow Erotia, Pleubucles, and the ludi amatori to unleash the games and love.
The human tendency to be curious about foreign affairs isn’t something that is common in our world. According to Palestrion’s instructions, Estelerdo (Manuela Alonso), should have sealed his mouth when he revealed in the room that he had witnessed the young Erotia kiss the Apollonian guest. After a harsh reprimand, they reminded him to “Audire videre et tacere”.
Estelerdo was convinced by Palestrion’s sharpness that he had seen the twin sister of the young lover. This, along with the interpretive skills Erotia, Senelio and Erotia, enabled them to convince Estelerdo that they were in cahoots in order to give the narcissistic barracks what they deserved. The plan, if it was successful, would have them free forever from their prison nets. According to Palestrion, the clever slave, they needed a woman “cui corps facetiarum plnum sit”, who would seduce Miles, then deceive, and humiliate him.
Astuteleutia, Pilar Jurado’s chosen one, was to be assisted by her faithful servant Mielfidipa (Trini Sanz). As her mistress was “desperate” before her disastrous marriage, she had to entertain and praise her braggart. She promised her 100 silver talents and a ring. Miles was a sucker for any woman with legs and arms, as Palestrion and this ladder proved.
The final act was completed. Miles robbed Erotia with the promise of a passionate relationship and money. The slave, Palestrion, and the slave Palestrion feigned their distress and got into a cart. As part of the ruse, she took them out, disguised as Pleubucles, the lover. Miles was soon scrambling and was caught red-handed in the hands of old Selenium. He vowed not to retaliate against the cook Carione (Nitzi Arrellana) after he was threatened by Carione (Nitzi Arellana).
Plautus, a well-known comedian who lived between 256 BC and 184 BC in the Republic of Rome, was born between 256 BC and 184 BC. His life was a difficult one for the republic, as it took place during the Punic Wars. Despite being favorable to Rome, the first two encounters with Carthage had created internal conflicts and a series inequalities that threatened cracking the system. It was essential to agree to the topic of “Panem et circusenses” (bread and circuses), in order to calm the masses and prevent future rebellions. Plautus was a master at this.
He was a merchant in the capital of the republic, a curious role that generated the knowledge that he displays in his regular appearances as characters connected to the sea. He was bankrupt and had to push a wheelbarrow while he wrote comedies from the Greek. Plautus is the best-known antiquity figure, known as Titus Maccius Plautus. This last name refers to those with flat feet or dogs with floppy ears.
His works were so successful that his villa’s atrium was filled with silver talents at his death, one year before Hannibal Barca, the great enemy to Rome.
The InEstable theatre company produced a powerful adaptation of the comedy, one of Plautus’ oldest. It was performed by a cast of only women who delight and laugh at an audience that is passionate about culture. The old was not considered ‘out-of-date’.
