History Theatre / AFunnyThingHappenedOntheWayToTheForum

* NonverbalMiscommunication: Pseudolus pretends to be a fortune-teller, while Hysterium pantomimes the correct responses behind the subject's back. Or tries to, anyway.

* LongLostRelative: Erronius finds his kids in the end. Also qualifies under OedipusComplex and LukeIAmYourFather, as his children, Philia and Miles Gloriosus, were actually supposed to marry, but he decided to allow Hero to marry Philia after learning that she is actually his sister separated when they were kidnapped.

* BadassBaritone: Miles Gloriosus, especially compared to rivals HenpeckedHusband Senex and TenorBoy Hero.

->"''Tragedy tomorrow, comedy tonight!''"

** Pseudolus quickly understands that the best way to convince the narcissistic Miles Gloriosus that his bride is beautiful is making her sound like him.

* MilesGloriosus: A character in the play has this name, but he's not exactly the stock character. Rather, he's borrowed from the play of the same name by Plautus, which is also the inspiration for the stock character's name. While fitting the "pompous, arrogant braggart" part, it's clear that he's also a powerful warrior who legitimately walks the walk.

** Miles Gloriosus describes himself as both "slaughterer of thousands" and "paragon of virtues" within thirty seconds of each other. In Rome, such a thing would be rather attractive qualities for a man (assuming it was all done in Rome's name, of course).

** Miles Gloriosus describes himself as both "slaughterer of thousands" and "paragon of virtue" within thirty seconds of each other. In Rome, such a thing would be rather attractive qualities for a man (assuming it was all done in Rome's name, of course).

** Miles Gloriosus describes himself as both "slaughterer of thousands" and "paragon of virtue" within thirty seconds of each other. In Rome, such a thing would be rather attractive qualities for a man (assuming it was in Rome's name, of course).

* MilesGloriosus: A character in the play has this name, but he's not exactly the stock character. Rather, he's borrowed from the play of the same name by Plautus, which is also the inspiration for the stock character's name. While fitting the "pompous, arrogant blowhard" part, it's implied he also walks the walk.

* WhereAreTheyNowEpilogue: A final song is devoted to TyingUpRomanticLooseEnds and otherwise clarifying what happened to everyone. [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters It's pretty necessary.]]

The play opened in 1962, and did well enough to spawn a 1966 film adaptation and many revivals. The film, directed by Richard Lester, starred Creator/ZeroMostel as Pseudolus (reprising his part from the original Broadway production), Creator/PhilSilvers as Marcus Lycus, Creator/MichaelCrawford as Hero, and Creator/BusterKeaton (in his final film role) as Erronius. Revival productions have featured, among others, Creator/NathanLane, Creator/WhoopiGoldberg, Creator/GeoffreyRush and Creator/GaryChalk.

* GenderNeutralNarrator: Pseudolus is usually played by a male actor, but Whoopi Goldberg replaced Nathan Lane in a Broadway revival.

* AmbiguousTimePeriod: The setting is "Two hundred years before the Christian era". Naturally, there is no specification if this means before the founding of Christinaity, putting the setting during the time of the Republic, or before Rome became Christian with the baptism of Constantine the Great, putting the setting during the reign of Trajan.

* AncientRome: The story takes place in a "less fashionable suburb" of it. Actual dates or the Emperor or consuls in charge aren't relevant, though.