From the title itself, one might be misled into thinking that Romulus D’Grayt is simply a restaging of the original by Friedrich Dürrenmatt. But with Ateneo Entablado, what you see usually isn’t what you get.

With references ranging from the likes of On the Wings of Love to Alma Moreno, Entablado mixes unique Pinoy humor into the vernacular of the ancient Roman Empire. What sets this production apart is that it steers clear of the dark and serious tone that usually comes with Entablado productions. Romulus D’Grayt is able to present its point clearly while also poking fun at itself in the process.

Translated in Filipino by Dr. Jerry Respeto and directed by Jethro Tenorio, Romulus D’Grayt tells the story of the demise of the Roman Empire under the leadership of Romulo. Faced against the threat of invaders, Romulus chooses not to act, much to the chagrin of his political advisors, family, and friends—a problem that parallels to the political situation of the Philippines. When the elite choose not to act, it is up to the common men to attempt to take a stand. Much of the play's dialogue is fast-paced and snappy, leaving its viewers no choice but to hang on to every word in order to properly watch the story unfold.

Standout performances from the cast go Quiel Quiwa (who stars as “Romulo”) for playing the anti-hero that viewers love to hate, as well as his two assistants played by Kate Lopez and Hannah Legaspi, whose upbeat performances provided comedic relief at all the right times. Ricardo Uy (who plays “Ispurio Tito Mama”) also displayed grace under pressure, by improvising as parts of his costume started to come undone.

The set, designed by Smile Indias, paints a vision of ancient Rome with a modern twist. White pillars and red draperies adorned the stage, with the standout piece being the cage, which held Romulo’s beloved pet chicken.

The costume design, headed by Martin Malabanan and Shawn Landayan, was also very memorable—from the use of hover boards to the draping robes, which adorned each cast member. Overall, the set and costumes were simple, leaving more room for audiences to focus on the cast and dialogue.

Some may also feel that the play’s substance tends to be drowned out by its use of humor. While the flashy jokes and quick punch lines kept audiences captivated, it does take away from the point the production tries to make. Some technical difficulties at the beginning of production (mainly the synchronization of the movements of the actors with the sound effects), but each cast member handled these challenges with ease.

Romulus D’Grayt presents to the audience the political circus that was Rome. The problems of yesterday still remain the problems of Philippine politics today, which is why the modern jokes seemed to fit in perfectly with the predicament the characters were faced with. Up front, Romulus D’Grayt presents itself as one of Entablado’s more humorous production, but as the story unfolds, audiences will see how the time for change comes in ways you least expect it.

Romulus D’Grayt will run from February 2-6 and 9-13. Performances start at 7pm on weekdays and 2pm on Saturdays, all happening at the Rizal Mini Theatre.