Roman Comedy

Synopsis
A series studying the history of theatre. Through the ages, playwrights of comedy were indebted to the Roman master of farce and comedy, Plautus. Chief among them was William Shakespeare, whose grammar school education was grounded in the plays of Plautus. Scenes from Plautus’ Amphitryon are contrasted with Shakespeare’s A Comedy of Errors, showing how the Roman comedy became, in part, the catalyst for Shakespeare’s popular play. The film demonstrates the power of the large, oversized Roman masks used in Plautus’ theatre. On location footage places Plautus in the Rome of his day. Translation and adaptation from Latin by John D. Mitchell, with narration written and spoken by Mitchell.
Series
Theatre: The Search for Style
Language
English
Country
United States
Medium
Video
Technical information
Colour / Sound
Year of release
1987
Duration
22 mins

Credits

Director
Jack Eddleman
Cinematographer
B. Mitchell
Writer
John D. Mitchell
Contributor
John D. Mitchell
Cast
Brian HinsonAntipholus of Ephesus
Ned BarthAntipholus of Syracuse
Sarah RiceAdriana

Additional Details

Production type
Documentary/Educational/News
Plays
Comedy of Errors, The
Subjects
Classical studies; Drama
Keywords
comedy; Plautus; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

General
Series linked to John D. Mitchell’s book Theatre: the Search for Style, Northwood Institute, 1982.

Production Company

Name

Institute for Advanced Studies in the Theatre Arts (IASTA)

Archive

Name

University of North Carolina

Phone
919-962-1301
Fax
919-843-8936
Address
Media Resources Center
Walter Royal Davis Library
UNC, Chapel Hill
North Carolina 27514-8890

Distributor

Name

Fordham University Press

Email
kasweeney@fordham.edu
Web
http://fordhampress.com/ External site opens in new window
Phone
+1 718 817-4795
Fax
+1 718 817-4785
Address
2546 Belmont Avenue
University Box L
Bronx
NY10458
USA
Notes
Fordham University Press distributes on DVD and videocassette programmes on the history of world theatre made by the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Theatre Arts IASTA). Sale.

How to cite this record

Shakespeare, "Roman Comedy". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/av66686 (Accessed 26 Nov 2024)