AUDIENCES will be transported back to ancient Rome as students tread the boards for a musical farce.

Youngsters from Framlingham College are staging Stephen Sondheim’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

The first performance took place yesterday but there are also showings tonight and tomorrow. The play, inspired by the farces of the ancient playwright Plautus, boasts slaves, courtesans, divided lovers, runaway maids, potions, mistaken identity and a vain Roman captain.

It stars Alex Myers-Allen as the slave Pseudolus, Charlie Bullen as his hapless friend Hysterium and Tom Hampson as their put upon master. Jasper Maberly and Alex Watts play the hopelessly romantic Hero and Philia, with Amelia Oliver as the matriarchal Domina and Jack Wright as the befuddled Erronius.

Director Hugh Edwards said: “In the finest traditions of farce ‘Forum’, at heart a love story, takes you on the longest, strangest, funniest route to a happy ending imaginable.

“The energy of the cast is remarkable, and I can’t ever remember having more fun in rehearsals than on this show.”

All performances are free of charge and start at 7.30pm. To book tickets call 01728 727781 or email boxoffice@framcollege.co.uk after 3pm.