Romulus the Great — Play

Direction and set design: Yigal Amitai

Featuring: Yigal Amitai, Dani Amitai

The Roman Empire is collapsing, conquered by Gothic warriors advancing on the capital. Emperor Romulus, unconcerned by the situation, responds to events and the grim news brought by his ministers philosophically, playfully, and cynically, while occupying himself with distilling spirits and playing the piano as an amateur. Julia, his wife, a patriot and stateswoman, tries to spur him into action, but it turns out that Romulus has another plan, based on orderly political and moral changes concerning the fate and future of his kingdom—and perhaps even the entire world.

Dürrenmatt describes his play Romulus the Great as an “unhistorical historical comedy.” But, as we know, the imaginary, however unreal it may seem, often reflects the real—truly.