Cicero is elected consul by a unanimous vote of the Roman people. Catiline, his aristocratic rival, is furious in defeat and refuses to accept the results of the election. He swears a blood oath to destroy Cicero, murder the government, and take Rome by force.
Behind the conspiracy, Cicero suspects, lurks Julius Caesar – young, ruthless, popular with the Roman mob and greedy for absolute power. As law and order begins to break down, who controls the mob controls Rome: Cicero, Catiline, Caesar or the charming but vicious playboy, Publius Clodius?
3hr 40mins (incl. 2 intervals)
14th June, 2018
8th September, 2018
Location: West End
Railway station: Charing Cross
Bus numbers: (Shaftesbury Avenue) 12, 14, 19, 38; (Regent Street) 6, 13, 15, 23, 88, 94, 139, 159, 453
Night bus numbers: (Shaftesbury Avenue) 14, N19, N38; (Regent Street) 6, 12, 23, 88, 94, 139, 159, 453, N3, N13, N15, N109, N18, N136
Car park: Brewer Street (3mins)
Directions from tube: (3mins) Take Shaftesbury Avenue along the side where the famous illuminated signs are. The theatre will be on your left about 100 metres along.
Following its run at the Swan Theatre, where it received rave reviews, “Imperium” transfers to London’s West End. The first of two parts, “Conspirator,” is a story of treachery, greed, jealousy, and violence. This behind-the-scenes glimpse at ancient Rome during turbulent times follows Cicero’s successes and setbacks as told by his faithful secretary, Tiro. Cicero is unanimously chosen as consul (the highest elected position in political office). His fierce rival, Catiline, looks on with envy. He denies the outcome of the election and vows to ensure the downfall of Cicero, the government and the city. Meanwhile, the young and affluent Julius Caesar appears on the scene, with his ambitions supported by the raving Roman mob. As democracy crumbles into chaos, who will the people support to rule their city? Cicero, Catiline, or Caesar? Mike Poulton’s cutting-edge new adaptation of Robert Harris’s series of books is a suspenseful and intriguing epic.
All persons under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Caesar's clothes slowly change from the simple to the regal. Purples and reds appear together with authoritative military trimmings.
Tiro, Cicero’s secretary, is credited as having invented a form of shorthand which is still in use today.
Mike Poulton, who adapted the books, says the plays are “relevant because times don’t change. Human nature doesn’t change.”
Unfortunately, tickets for this event are no longer available.
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