‘it’s all in the name: a lott of romp…a lus’ Charlotte Mulliner ★★★★★

Rompalottalus ★★★★★

Balliol Thursday 26^th November 7.45pm

Review by Charlotte Mulliner

Written in a single night by student Scott Carless, Rompalottalus was a perfect choice for Cuppers and a classicist’s wet dream. A fast-paced and farcical parody of Greek comedy, it tells the story of the slave Phormio’s noble battle to get Athens’ brothels re-opened in order to win his bride. It was a brilliant ensemble cast, all taking part with panache. There are some great characters, such as Cyrus, the cowardly, impotent cuckold, his wife Electra, a saucy gigolo scouting minx and their son Fopadopolis, a preening, sex crazed tosser (to roughly quote the play). Not to forget the eponymous hero – a slightly deluded, sexually frustrated Athenian. With lines like ‘I am ravaged by the agony of Aphrodite’s fire’, ‘by Hercules’ foreskin’ and ‘by Hera’s stiff nipples’ you can tell it’s all in the name: a lott of romp…a lus.