It will be a comedic tribute to the Roman empire as students from Summerland Secondary School will stage A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
The musical is the story of Pseudolus, a slave, who attempts to win his freedom by helping his master woo the girl next door.
The play includes classic elements of farce such as puns, the slamming of doors, mistaken identity and satirical comments on social class.
“It’s a slapstick farce,” said Heather Ayris, drama teacher at Summerland Secondary School.
“There are people running everywhere.”
Ayris said the play is ideal for this year’s theatre students..
“I have a lot of comedic actors who can do great work with this,” she said.
The musical element means students have to be able to sing, dance and act for the play.
Students who have performed in recent high school plays have gone on to pursue theatre training elsewhere.
Ayris said alumni are now studying in Paris, London, New York and elsewhere.
A Funny Thing was originally staged in Broadway in 1962 and won several Tony Awards.
In Summerland, the play will be performed at Centre Stage Theatre Feb. 9 to 12 and 16 to 19, at 7 p.m.
Tickets are available at The Beanery and the Summerland Secondary School office or drama department.