Calígvla

What the play is about. The Roman emperor who, in four years, unleashed the full decadence of the Empire: in a sleepless night of poppy juice his sense of time comes apart, and from that unravelling he gives free rein to absolute power. The production follows that descent rather than the chronology of his reign.

What to expect. Classical material staged for a contemporary audience: the subject is power without limits and what it does to the person who holds it. Performances are in Spanish.

Before you go. Theatre runs in Mexico City are short and the calendar changes constantly: confirm dates, times, venue and ticket availability before travelling, as this listing may refer to a past season. The city's independent theatre scene concentrates in the Centro, Roma and Coyoacán.

This run has ended. Calígvla was staged at a small theatre on Tlacotalpan #16, in Roma Sur. The season is over and this page is kept for reference.

What the play was. A Spanish-language production about the Roman emperor who, in four years, unleashed the full decadence of the Empire: in one sleepless night, poppy juice undoes his sense of time and he relives his own life and acts in a play of shifting times and spaces — the night before he discovers the conspiracy against him.

Where to find what is on now. Mexico City has one of the largest independent theatre scenes in the Spanish-speaking world, concentrated in the Roma, the Condesa and Coyoacán, with tickets at a fraction of commercial prices. The Cartelera de Teatro and the Secretaría de Cultura listings carry current runs; most small theatres also announce their seasons a few weeks ahead on their own channels.

Practical notes. Almost all theatre here is performed in Spanish without surtitles. Small venues often take cash only at the door, and seasons usually run Thursday to Sunday for a few weeks rather than indefinitely. Metro Hospital General and Centro Médico serve Roma Sur.