The Romans had more than a great army – they had great plays too. One of those is Plautus’ comedy The Braggart Soldier, about a truly obnoxious man who believes he is God’s gift to the army and that all women fall madly in love with him. Neither of those is true, and he kidnaps people, so his captives come up with a plot to escape – and to teach him a lesson he won’t easily forget. The Braggart Soldier was composed in Rome back before the Roman empire existed and has been making audiences laugh for more than two thousand years. This workshop will explore the play and its history, culminating in a fully costumed performance of a shortened version (15-20 minutes long), in which all workshop participants will be involved.
About the workshop
This experience is designed for ages 8-16.
10am-4pm main schedule of activities with a break for lunch
Flexible drop off and pick up between 9-10am in the morning and 4-5pm in the afternoon
Performance at 3 pm in front of Butser’s Roman villa: friends and family are encouraged to watch
Learn the basics of drama and performance in a fun, relaxed way
Learn about the Romans
All props and costumes provided
No Latin or memorisation needed: we will use an English translation, and scripts are allowed in the performance
Run by knowledgeable and experienced educators who are DBS checked and First Aid trained
Set in the unique surroundings of Butser Ancient Farm’s historic buildings
Jacinta Hunter has worked extensively in theatre and performing arts since 2015, and in children’s education since 2017. She has recently completed a degree in Classical Studies at the University of Reading, where she joined the Ancient Schoolroom team. It is with great delight that she is now able to combine all her loves in bringing this Greek drama workshop to Butser Ancient Farm. She is excited to share her passion for theatre and classics with a new generation of actors and historians!
This workshop is offered in partnership with the Reading Ancient Schoolroom, an educational charity started at the University of Reading in 2014 with the aim of bringing Roman schools to life and sharing them with today’s children. The ancient schoolroom will be in residence at Butser’s Roman villa from 26-31 August 2025, offering a range of workshops and drop-in activities.
More information
This workshop is suitable for ages 8-16.
Participants must be able to read and to concentrate on the collective goal of a successful performance.
What should my child wear?
Something practical! Flat shoes, plenty of layers if it's cold, wet weather gear if it's rainy, and clothes you don't mind risking getting a little mucky. This workshop will likely be held both inside and outside, except in the case of extreme weather.
Should I bring anything to the day camp?
Your child will need to bring a packed lunch with them. They may also want to bring a change of clothes.
Is there parking?
Yes! We have plenty of free and accessible parking. If you're worried about accessibility, please email hello@butserancientfarm.co.uk for advice.
Where should I go on the day?
Just head to the entrance kiosk and show us your ticket as normal. We'll help with where to go after that!