Florida Players presents ‘The Braggart Soldier’ on Nov. 21 and 23

October 31, 2008

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A classic Roman comedy with an animated cartoon style defines the upcoming Florida Players production of “The Braggart Soldier” which will debut at 8 p.m. on Nov. 21 in the Nadine McGuire Black Box Theatre.

“The Braggart Soldier,” written by Plautus and translated by Erich Segal, is a Roman comedy with a fast-paced wit that has drawn audience appeal since it was first produced in 205 B.C. Under Director Brandon Yagel, the show is complete with a live band and original score.

A vintage Looney Tunes theme drives the style of the set, lighting and sound effects. Togas worn by the characters mirror a color scheme that matches their respective Looney Tunes counterparts.

“The Braggart Soldier” begins with a solider constantly boasting of his feats in love and war. He kidnaps a beautiful girl and brings her to Ephesus, Greece. Her lover follows them and meets with her secretly in the house next door until one day the two are caught together by a sneaking servant. The braggart soldier’s witty servant, Palaestrio, must devise a scheme to trick his master and free the girl to run away with her lover. With the help of the old man who lives next door, a crafty courtesan and her maid, Palaestrio conducts a series of clever ruses to “fool that guard of hers until his head just spins!” Playing on the soldier’s pride, the group uses false flattery, seduction and more to get the soldier where it hurts the most — his lofty pride.

Show times are at 8 p.m. on Nov. 21 and at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Nov. 23. The performances are free and open to the public. Audiences will enjoy a fifteen-minute sketch prior to each performance.

Tickets can be reserved through the Florida Players Web site at floridaplayers.org. For special accommodations, contact Disability Affairs Cabinet, 72 hours in advance.

Florida Players, sponsored by University of Florida’s Student Government, will produce “The Braggart Soldier” by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. Students, as well as members of the Gainesville artistic community, are urged to attend the opening of this comical and theatrical work as it makes its UF premiere later this month.