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Miracle Players - English theatre in Rome, Italy
Miracle Players

The History of Rome Reviews

What the Consuls think... 

The History of Rome

    
Domus Performances Cast Directions Quiz Reviews Text Photos

    
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Forget the Complete Works of Shakespeare in 90 minutes. The capital's itinerant English theatre troupe, the Miracle Players, go one better in reducing over one thousand years of ancient history to a 40-minute caper. The rise and fall of the Roman Empire, from suckling she-wolves to Nero's fiddling follies, are irreverently rendered each Friday evening in the atmospheric environs of the Forum itself. Performances are free and al fresco. In this case, miracle by name, miracle by nature. 
Time Out
    

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...The Miracle Players taking a humorous, nay, ingeniously talented, as well as instructive look at the history of a city that claims to be eternal and that has shaped and effected the lives of people the world over... The priceless location [of the performance] that theatres the world over would die for is in front of the Mamertine Prison.
Roma C'è
   

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...Texts are based on classical works... but the humorous historical adaptations are a far cry from what you remember from some dreary Latin lessons. Furthermore the performance takes place with a striking view over the Roman Forum where many of the actual events took place.
Trova Roma - The Best in Rome
   

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...This group of brilliant actors promote classical culture in historical locations... The actors themselves have written the script which is based on the works of Livy, Juvenal, Plutarch and others in the Latin tradition.
Roma Turismo
    

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...The Miracle Players focus on the most interesting events to provide the audience with a concise, funny and yet truthful version of the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire.
Into Italy
   

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Prima TV (Czechoslovakia) [56k]  [128k
    

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Abbiamo visto la Bibbia in novanta minuti e Tutto Shakespeare minuto per minuto. E ora tocca alla storia di Roma in quaranta minuti... Fantasia e ironia per mettere in scena, e un pò anche alla berlina, Romolo e Remo, l'assassino di Cesare, l'incendio di Nerone, i giochi del Colosseo e l'ascesa del Cristianessimo.
La Repubblica
    

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...La commedia si basa sui testi Giovenale, Plutarco, Livio, Cicerone ed altri scrittori antichi al fine di accostare scritti classici e riadattamenti ironici che assicurano al pubblico grande risate.
Il Messaggero
    

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...Sullo sfondo del tramonto sui Fori, per il terzo anno consecutivo questo gruppo di attori brillanti eseguirà delle rappresentazioni teatrali in lingua inglese, raccontando la storia di Roma dalla sua nascita mitologica alla caduta dell'Impero. Per gli spettatori un duplice fine: imparare la storia di Roma e l'inglese divertendosi.
Il Tempo
   

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...questo spettacolo offre un modo diverso e irreverente di concludere l'esplorazione di una delle zone archeologiche più visitate al mondo... [I Miracle Players] offriranno al pubblico, romano e non, una serata di divertimento assicurato.
Estate Romana 2001
   

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Nato nel '99 quello dei Miracle è un gruppo di attori professionisti provenienti da vari paesi anglofani e residenti a Roma, diventato famoso per le commedie che produce impegnate ma divertenti.
Il Messaggero
    

The History of Rome

What the People of Rome think...

The History of Rome

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When in Rome take in as many of the sights possible, and a visit to the 
Martime Prison steps to see comedy at its best from The Miracle Players. It 
was high on our list for a visit and and for forty minutes the players 
performance of "The History of Rome", had us laughing and wishing history 
lessons had always been this good. Comedy at its best.
Ann S.
    

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On 15.06.01, I had the opportunity to see HISTORY OF ROME performed by miracle players. This show really relaxed us after a long walk around the city. It was just a chance that we were taking some pictures of Roman Forum that we saw crowd gathering near Church of St. Luca and Martina. Initially we thought its some Italian street show, so we kept on taking pictures. Suddenly we realised crowd is praising the show. So, we thought to attend and shoot this show in camera for 5-10 minutes. But as soon as we joined the crowd, we got involved into the show. My husband who was initially reluctant to use his video camera battery for this show, to my surprise shot the entire show. Today whenever we get time we watch this play and enjoy our time. We have showed this show to our friends and they also liked it very much. At last, I wish all the success to Miracle Players and I hope you will come up with new comic and enthusiastic shows to entertain foreign visitors in Rome. With best regards
Seema K.
   

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hey i thought your show was great and educational and enjoyable so keep it up!!
Kate A.
   

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I attended at the Roman Forum a wacky performance by the Miracle Players, a group of enterprising American undergrads, in which they spoofed the founding of Rome in an hour, using minimum props & lots of wit, to a huge audience who sat wherever they could find a patch of road or a stairs. Have invited them to S'pore.. 
Ching L. 
    

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It is indeed a nice exposer from you part. I enjoyed the show. Thank you very very much... Sincerely,
Mahmood S.
   

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My wife and I thought the play was fantastic. We live in Rome and have been intending on seeing the play for quite sometime. However, something always came up. Yesterday, was her birthday as well as the last showing so we made it our business to come and see it. We thought it was a very condensed story of the history with superb gestures of comedy. Which is sometimes needed to get the point across. I work at the American Embassy and my time left here is very short. And I must admit that upon arriving in Rome I did not like it here coming from South America. However, at this point I'm in love with this city and will miss it dearly. Well, I know you did not ask for all of this. So, I will end by saying we thoroughly enjoyed the play and would highly recommend seeing it. Thank you all for such a great birthday present to my wife. 
Eric H.
     

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As audience members who came on the best possible reason to see "The history of Rome" (namely that we already witnessed "Julius Cesar" in 2000), we are urged to tell you that you needn't worry about the accuracy of historical details... Much more important is that after your show we were able to improve our general knowledge of music, namely that "Light my Fire" was not written by Jim Morrison but by Nero. Thank you for this enlightenment. Hope to see you again in 2002.
Bernd D. & Barbara D.
    

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Very funny, very entertaining, we know you speak very good Italian, why don't you perform it also in Italian? Thank you for the amusing time.
Lara e Mariella 
   

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Rinnovando i complimenti, siete veramente bravi, volevo sapere se ho il permesso di portare una videocamera alla prossima rappresentazione (si, voglio vedere ancra lo spettacolo); naturalmente non ho nessun intento 
commerciale, serve solo per rivedere la vostra rappresentazione di nuovo insieme agli amici.
Giuseppe P.
   

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My family and I did enjoy the show very much. I think that is a very encouraging format to entertain and also provide people with history and information that they might not otherwise know. I know my mom learned a lot!! Thanks for providing that service to us as English speakers. Even though I live here in Italy, I still am not fluent and it's nice to hear English! Sincerely, 
Robbyn R.
   

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As I thoroughly enjoyed your lighthearted (but well-researched) dig at Roman history, I had proposed to one of you guys that you visit Singapore during your holidays & explore a version of how Sang Nila Utama founded our Lion City (Singapura, in Malay). There's lots of potential for humour - he came, he saw a fierce lion, & instead of running for his life, set up camp...and the rest is history. How about tackling Asian, or more focusedly South East Asian history, to add to your repertoire. I know both the S'poreans & tourists would love a
S'pore story told with humour and panache! With very best wishes for a rewarding career!
Christine K.
    

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I happened to be visiting from Toronto, Ontario, Canada when I was able to cross paths with your fabulous performances. I teach high school Dramatic Arts and the past year we worked on studying and performing Miracle Plays. My students loved it and were also educated by the experience! Keep up the amazing work and please keep me in touch.
Adrienne G.P.
    

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Lovely to be reminded about our evening at the forum with you. I thought your acting skills and improvisation were splendid. - did have doubts about the history bit! Good Luck
Beth D.
   

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I wanted to give some positive feedback on the History of Rome performance. I found it very entertaining and the acting was excellent. It was also a perfect length and overall it was fun! Of course, the wonderful setting helped. Thank you for putting this show on. I wish you luck on all of your future endeavors.
Glen L.
   

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Many thanks for the informative email on the Miracle Players. As we said upon viewing your excellent work that evening at the Forum, it was one of the most informative and pleasurable theater experiences we have had this year. Try as I did, I could not find any major historical errors in the piece other than the intended transpositions and compressions which you so brilliantly effected. My two children were as enthusiastic about the performance as their parents: they still talk about some of the funny parts at the dinner table. What a wonderful way of giving children a love for the history of the city. 
Allan C.
    

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Firstly, your play was great, very enjoyable, i had an awful position but hey, what the heck. So you're saying Romulus was just outside of Texas? or a totally different state? wow! whoda thought? I'd like to know what you're source is though..... er....... erm....... anyway, i don't have any constructive criticism of the play and i wont be seeing it again as i am now back in sunny Brighton (it so isnt sunny) but ive recomended it to a friend who is visiting rome shortly. gotta go. ciao. 
Kevin D.
   

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Sorry I have missed Friday 20 History of Rome! I will be there on 27. I wonder how many spectators have enjoyed your same show more than twice ! ... worth asking in your marketing research ! I really appreciate your ability in being "lighthearted and meaningful" at the same time. It is good for all types of audience (my kids are with me ... so that is already 3 that return to the same show) and moods, especially after a hard days work ! Best
Marco H.
   

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Yesterday immediately before the sunset I was there, seated on the steps in front of the roman ancient world, waiting for a show and I was wondering if I could be able, with my poor English and my scarce familiarity with comic theatre, to understand more than a word and above all to catch the sense of the play. I didn’t want actually to count on my knowledge of the history of Rome, because I desperately wanted to follow the show and not to refresh what I have learnt at school... Then after a few friendly words of presentation and explanation, suddenly the show began and I was not more there on that steps but I started travelling in a fantastic world and... who on earth could believe it!!! I could understand almost everything... I happened to be immediately involved in the story and to participate with you, the players, in a fascinating and amusing dream... and how much I enjoyed the show!! So, even if it shouldn’t amaze, considering how you are called, I must say that in that wonderful scenario yesterday evening you really performed a miracle!!! You were really brilliant... many thanks! Love, A new fan,
Enrica V.
   

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I can't say you were the high point of our visit to Italy, but my son and I enjoyed the show and its sweet good humor. I wasn't expecting Derek Jacoby and Brian Blessed, but what I got was more than I hoped for. Rome has survived threats from abroad and from internal corruption, it may even survive good humored fun at the hands of the English and Americans. Keep up the good work! Best, 
Steve Z.
   

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Your performance was very appropriate in making ancient Rome au courant in light of the present Texan malpeasant active (eight hours a day--at the most). My only regret is that the performance was not longer!
Kay S.
   

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I went to see you performance last Friday (27th July). It was excellent really funny and I really got into it. I'm home now in Scotland (where its much colder than in Rome last Week). I've recommended your show to some friends who are going to Rome next week, so keep an eye out for some Scots. Out of Interest are you guys playing at the Edinburgh Fringe after Rome this Year ? thanks again for the great performance
Dean & Gillian C.
   

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I just wanted to let you know that we saw your show while we were in Rome and loved it. It certainly was entertaining and the setting was great. I hope that your theater group keeps up the good work! If your ever in Islamabad, Pakistain you should check out the RATS theater group. Cheers,
Gail G.P.
    

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We had a great time seeing your play. You guys did a great job, it was lots of fun. Suggestion might be to get some type of sound system so you could be heard better. At times it was hard to hear because you were turned away talking. You were asking how we found out about you, maybe try to get included in some of the guide books. We used Rick Steve's book because we were visiting Rome and Venice. Invite him to see your play when he comes to Rome? Your group showed a lot of energy, and fun in your show. It appears that you enjoy doing it! Thanks again!!
w.j.p.
   

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We made it to Rome and.... we saw the play! We enjoyed it so much. Our children 16 and 15 years old thought it was  great! They learned all the stuff we were trying to teach them in a fun way. Thank you very much for such a good time!! 
Michele and family
    

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Enjoyed your (last of the season) performance outside the Forum. :)
Neil C.
     

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ThankQ kindly for your e-mail. It was a nice reminder of my travels throughout Italy. You made a valiant effort at deciphering my hand writing but with one crucial mistake. My surname is Higgins, and unfortunately for me, not Niggins, as having the name Alex Higgins has meant a life of mockery due to sharing it with a famous 80's English, cocaine snorting, chimney smoking , alcoholic snooker player!! You did say famous names were an added bonus! 
Thanks again for the e-mail and also and very memorable and enjoyable evening in the old bits of Rome. 
Alex "Hurricane" Higgins 
    

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Nous avons eu la chance et le bonheur d'assister à votre dernière représentation à Rome le 10 août... Bien que quelques subtilités du texte en anglais nous aient échappé (à nous, pauvres petits français !), nous tenions à vous remercier pour l'agréable moment passé en votre compagnie. Bravo et bonne continuation. 
2 fans: Titi et Pom
    

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I am back home in Trinidad, West Indies having spent 2 weeks in Italy - my friend and I thoroughly enjoyed your show - we happened to pick up your post card at the tourist info - it was fun, humourous, creative and such a wonderful setting - you obviously enjoy what you do and I wish you all the best in your future performances - we were lucky getting your last performance - 
Marilyn S.
    

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I loved the show, it was absolutely hilarious! My sister and I were probably the only two people who laughed at the Monty Python references but they were appreciated nonetheless. Sadly, I live in America and will be unable to attend your future productions. If ever I'm in Rome again, I'll look you up. 
Eric L.

   

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updated: 11-05-2008
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