Vestals is a new play by Susie Lawrence based on the ancient Roman order of the Vestal Virgins. I won't explain the details of the order here; click the link to learn more. Six women were held in very high regard and were, in a sense, seen as preservers of the Roman state. The setting is late the 4th Century CE, when the Senate acted to cut their budget. In 382, the Christian emperor Gratian confiscated their revenues and the order disappeared shortly thereafter.
The play involves complex themes of duty, piety, male-female conflict, treachery, desire and revenge. A lot to pack into an hour.
That sounds complicated.
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