A Consulship For A Horse

SYNOPSIS:

Dominic Mullens’ 2025 play A Consulship for a Horse is a comedy that is inspired by the Ancient Greek New Comic works of Menander and the Old Comedy of Aristophanes. The play centres around the eccentric Roman emperor Caligula after his failed invasion of Britain in 40 AD. Finding the everyday slog of politics not interesting enough, Caligula decides to elect his horse Incitatus as consul. The majority of the play concerns itself with the reaction to this decree by Caligula’s court. The sly Greek freedman Menander governs the empire in all but name. While Menander wields de facto power, he acknowledges that Caligula’s name and imperial lineage is necessary for stability. As Caligula perceives himself as a divine entity, the balance of power shifts frequently between the two. Caligula’s foil is his Praetorian guard Cassius who identifies himself with traditional Roman morals. Caligula’s reliance on his Greek freedman, his comradery with his slaves Water-boy and Towel-Boy and his frequent belittlement and emasculation of Cassius stoke the flames of Cassius’ hatred against Caligula. 

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