The Stoic and the Mad Emperor. What a stellar play. A rich character study that inspires reflection. I had read this play some time ago and decided to let it cool off in my head before writing a recommendation. But truth be told, it just entered into my consciousness as the events in then life of one of my favorite philosophers. Marcia Eppich-Harris weaves a tale that reminds me of Seneca’s own words, “Life's like a play: it's not the length, but the excellence of the acting that matters.” The act of writing this play was an excellent act

I was able to stream Southbank Theatre Company's production of this play recently, and what a history lesson! Recent politics are hauntingly reminiscent of the Ancient Rome depicted here, and the cast of characters encompass a spectrum of youthful, full of promise and hopeful individuals to devastated, deteriorating, and downright grotesque. I found myself particularly fascinated by the female characters on the margins of this history, and their scenes from the work have stayed with me longest.

“Seneca and the Soul of Nero” brings historical persons to a vivid and human level. Ambition, lust, fear, and greed are set against the desire for honor and truth. The struggles are painfully real. The ending is as surprising as it is beautiful.