Last Saturday, my sister and I went to the Canon Theatre in Toronto to watch the play A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

Set in ancient Rome, the play follows the story of Pseudolus, a precocious slave who attempts to buy his freedom by finding a lover for his young master. What ensues is a hilarious comedy of bawdy antics, mistaken identities, and satirical commentaries on social class. The play is based on the comedies of the ancient Roman playwright Plautus. Plautus is not instantly recognizable, but his influence can be found in Shakespeare’s comedies.

This play has a lot of funny moments. The best actor by far is Sean Cullen who plays the part of Pseudolus. Cullen is the saving grace of this show, adding the comedic punch that really propelled the storyline. To watch his facial expressions, his silly dances, and his perfectly timed wit is the true treat of this play.

Cullen has published quite a few books, mostly for children. One of his series chronicles the adventures of Hamish X, an orphan who gets mixed up with a band of pirates. Take a look at the cool website.

Vaughan Public Libraries has six of Cullen’s books. You can view a list of titles here.

If you’re interested in learning more about the play before buying tickets, you can read it first or watch the movie.

Have you already seen A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum? If so, let us know what you thought!