Event

Emperor and Galilean

Torn Space Theater continues to bring innovative and original theater to WNY audiences with our presentation of a world premiere adaptation of Ibsen's self-proclaimed masterwork, Emperor and Galilean, adapted by award-winning playwright and Buffalonian Neil Wechsler.

The tides of history irrevocably shift when Julian, the impassioned pagan Emperor of Rome, attempts to thwart the advance of Christianity. The play explores how a benevolent philosopher becomes a tyrant and how faith can develop into dangerous zeal for two opposing religions. In this exciting production an ensemble cast of twelve actors will bring this epic story to life under the direction of David Oliver in the versatile performance environment of Torn Space.

Neil Wechsler on Ibsen's Play
"Emperor and Galilean is one of the world's great plays, though it's rarely produced because of its original length. For years I've wanted to adapt it - to cut as much as possible while maintaining its core drama. Director David Oliver's exquisite attention to detail is essential for a play of this scope, and Torn Space's emphasis on theatre as ritual is ideal to evoke the profound clash between paganism and Christianity at the end of the Roman Empire."