a dozen busts of past Roman emperors

The Romulus script calls for a "dozen busts of past Roman emperors." Luckily our tireless director, Rina Steinhauer, felt inspired to create her own sculpting atelier. Here she is showing of some of her creations to set designer John Seeley. Now if she can only keep the rodents out of her garage ...

SPQR

ROMULUS: You heard me: SPQR. That means I have just made a law.

SPQR – This acronym is a combination of three words: they may directly be translated as Senātus Populusque Rōmānus. The first two words are two nominative nouns combined by the enclitic particle “–que” that may be translated as the English word “and”, which combines the first two nouns – “senātus” and “populus” that mean, respectively, both senate and populous. The last word, Rōmānus is an adjective modifying the two preceding words. When seen on artwork, military decorations, and in other places around the Roman Empire, “SPQR” is literally considered to mean “the Roman Senate and Populous”. Whilst exact dates of the acronym’s creation are unknown, they are seen on inscriptions and other forms of artwork and décor from the Early Roman Republic, as early as c. 80 BC. The last appearance of the acronym appears on inscriptions on coins from the rule of Constantine the Great, the first Christian emperor. It would seem that Romulus was outlived in at least one way… For what reason was the inscription used? In the modern context, it is seen to adorn many a wall, piece of groundwork, and piece of artwork both for reasons social and civic and during the reign of Benito Mussolini it appears in many places as a tool meant to promote the rise of a, so called, “New Roman Empire”

Memorial Players Presents Romulus

Memorial Players Presents Romulus

A Play by Gore Vidal

A farcical and still tragic fable on the fall of Imperial Rome in 467 A.D., Gore adapted Romulus from a play by the Swiss dramatist Friedrich Durrenmatt. It presents the fates of the last emperor of Imperial Rome, his court and family. Romulus seems content do to nothing while Rome comes under siege, while his wife and courtiers scramble and conspire to find a way to save Rome – and their own necks.

Directed by Rina Steinhauer, produced by Kristine Smets, the play is a treatise on historical morality, at equal times absurd, sad and hysterical. Romulus turns a critical eye on the legitimacy of an empire whose noble roots have been corrupted by endless bloodshed and abuse of power. Can money save the day – or will the barbarians at the gate be the saving grace of civilization?

Set design by John Seeley, costumes by Christine Calderon, and poster by Lynne Mennefee, Romulus’ cast features many well-known faces from Memorial Players’ past dramas and musicals. 

As always, Romulus is admission-free (good will donations are always welcome), and presented at Memorial Church at the corner of Lafayette and Bolton streets.

Performance dates:

Friday, November 11 evening

Saturday, November 12 evening

Sunday, November 13 matinee

Friday, November 18 evening

Saturday, November 19 evening

Sunday, November 20 matinee

Rehearsing Act 1, Scene 3

Gore Vidal (October 3, 1925 – July 31, 2012)

Gore Vidal (October 3, 1925 – July 31, 2012), the author who adapted Friedrich Durrenmatt’s play "Romulus der Grosse" for an English-speaking audience, may be familiar to many of our ‘older’ friends at Memorial, but might not ring a bell among our younger audiences. Wikipedia calls him “an American writer (of novels, essays, screenplays, and stage plays) and a public intellectual known for his patrician manner, epigrammatic wit, and polished style of writing.” The site also states that Vidal's principal subject was the history of the United States and its society, especially how the militaristic foreign policy of the National Security State reduced the country to decadent empire. Hmm – this is already sounding familiar.

Author of several books and screenplays, he was also known as an outspoken public intellectual who identified with liberal politicians and the progressive social causes of the Democratic party. He publicly feuded with the conservative William F. Buckley, the novelists Truman Capote and Norman Mailer, and offended many with his male chauvinistic remarks in the Polanski rape case. Still many continue to admire his prolific and elegant writings.

Having fun at Romulus rehearsals.

Having fun at Romulus rehearsals. Last week we got measured for costumes, this weekend, photographer Kellie Welborn was on hand to take our headshots.

Our Poster

We're proud to announce the Fall Drama Poster for Romulus. Another winner designed by our very own Lynne Menefee!

Blocking Act 1 Scene 1

Yesterday's action: Blocking Act 1 Scene 1 + costume team, led by Christine Calderon, taking measurements!

Romulus Cast and Crew thus far

Romulus Cast and Crew thus far -- the Goths have not yet arrived (i.e. we are still looking for Ottaker, Theodoricus, and other miscellaneous Goths).

Rehearsals have started

Rehearsals have started for our fall drama "Romulus." Rina Steinhauer (Director), Kate Leisner (Assistant Director), and Darren McGregor (Acting Coach) last night were preparing the upcoming character-building workshop.