A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Riddle me this – how can you see a world-famous Broadway musical, complete with characteristic Broadway staging and spectacle, without ever leaving Paris? Give up…? Luckily for you, we have the answer!
Drop by the Lido2Paris on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées to see a Stephen Sondheim gem. Behold, his most famous musical ever to be performed in Paris: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum!

It’s only by experiencing this show in its authentic, original version that you will be able to fully appreciate this masterpiece of humour, performed within the fabled theatre of Lido2Paris, which dons a completely new look for this special occasion.

A light and funny farce which whimsically parodies Roman comedies, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum also incorporates elements of vaudeville and comedy. Sondheim’s artful lyricism is exemplified in his original songs, in which delightful wordplay abounds – check out “Comedy Tonight” and “Lovely” for a sense of his characteristic style!

The original production of the play won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical, since its debut in New York, 1962. Since then, it has been performed many times, featuring a slew of famous actors, including Nathan Lane, Whoopi Goldberg, and Phil Silvers as Pseudolus. You don’t have to fly to New York to get a taste of its unparalleled theatre scene – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum arrives on Paris’ doorstep to split your sides and blow you away! What a way to end the year…

Never seen Gypsy, Anyone Can Whistle/, A Little Night Music, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, or Sweeney Todd? You’re in luck – you have the chance to discover an excellent musical by one acclaimed composer and lyricist, considered one of the greatest American creators of musicals, and songwriter for the renowned musical Westside Story.
Better yet – you don't have to travel to New York to do so… presenting Stephen Sondheim’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, which arrives in Paris later this year!

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is playing in Paris, on the exquisite Champs-Élysées no less. Good humour and head-noddingly catchy songs are guaranteed as a host of colourful characters converge on the titular forum – and what a cast! You will of course discover Pseudolus (the faker), our hero, Senex (the old man), Miles Gloriosus (the boastful soldier), Domina (the mistress), Gymnasia (the athlete), Tintinabula (the fool), Panacea (whose name literally means ‘cure all’), Geminae (the twins), and Erronius (the vagabond). A Roman-inspired piece to make you weep with laughter!

Of course, you needn’t bring your French or Latin dictionary to this performance at the Lido2Paris – bring only your handkerchiefs and good humour, and prepare to follow the hilarious adventures of a slave, Pseudolus, who tries to win his freedom by helping his young master to seduce a courtesan in the middle of ancient Rome. Laughs and merriment are guaranteed!