Free outdoor summer theatre returns to the South Bank this August as The Scoop gets set to perform Roman comedy-inspired Captain Show-Off! to families throughout the month.
Playing from 5 to 30 August, theatre company Gods and Monsters Theatre’s Artistic Director Phil Whillmot has taken inspiration from the works of Roman playwright Plautus to create a “joyous family show” packed with music, mayhem and mix-ups galore.
While Plautus may not be a familiar name amongst theatrical family offerings, his comedies have inspired everything from modern pantomimes’ characteristic puns to Stephen Sondheim musicals and even sitcoms.
Captain Show-Off! will follow in these predecessors’ footsteps with a tale set in a bustling Roman town home to the titular self-proclaimed war hero. Mistakenly thinking his arrogance is charming, he’s in for a big shock if he expects everyone will join his fan club, as chaos and confusion ensue when cunning tricksters decide to take advantage of his ego.
Every year more than 30,000 people attend a show at the free open air venue located by City Hall. Completely free and with no booking required, the theatre prides itself on attracting a diverse audience of theatre lovers and those new to the art form alike.
Captain Show-Off! will play at 18:00 from Wednesday to Sundays. As the sun sets, things turn a bit darker for theatre with the more adult Women Of Troy following the family show each evening at 20:00.
For full details visit the Gods and Monsters Theatre website.