Richard L. Sprecker
The Comedy of Asses
UMKC - Spencer Theatre
October 2011
Directed by Theodore Swetz and Stephanie Roberts
Scenic Design by Erin Walley
Costume Design by Allison Dillard
Lighting Design by Richard L. Sprecker
Sound Design by Ryan M. Hall and Cynthia Postlewait
A comedy by Plautus, The Comedy of Asses shows us a tried and true comedic technique of lower caste getting the better of the upper caste. This production featured the ensemble also as an orchestra, with several sections of dialogue recreated into fun musical numbers.
by Plautus
Plautus sets us a slightly off-kilter world where the slaves get the best of their masters
The scene of our city. Particularly fun to light was the collection of curtains upstage.
Libanus and Leonida discuss their plans to command their master as if he were their slave.
Agryrippus pleads at the feet of his slave Leonida for the money that will secure his happiness.
The show was decked out with musical numbers, conceived of by our directors and performed by the ensemble as orchestra.
More of the mischievous slave machinations to have their masters beg for the money they hold.
The slaves have their fun.
The Parasite reads the conditions of marriage to Diabolus.
In grand musical tradition, our five performers sing their own lament, layered atop one another.
Each with their own take on love, our performers finish.
Our choir prepares to help sing for the slaves.
The newly freed slaves sing celebrations of their freedom.