The toga, chief among all robe-based attire, is comedy gold. Animal House knew it. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum knew it. And the Bad Dog Theatre knows it too.

Their latest mainstage show, Rome'd, makes heavy use of the classical garb as it spoofs HBO's Rome. While the original TV show is heavy on the intrigue and gore, Rome'd is all about the funny.

Created by Toronto improv stalwart Cary West, the improvised show follows the misadventures of eight debaucherous citizens of ancient Rome. There are dictators, heroes, party animals, scheming queens and someone described as a "self-lacerator". Filling these roles are some of Toronto's best improvisers.

Rome'd is the latest in a series of pop-culture spoofs at the Bad Dog. It follows the successful BSG parody BattleAwesome AwesomeStar, and joins Hot Doctors in Love, currently a hot ticket for the theatre company. There's much comedy hay to be made from today's television uber-series, and the Bad Dog seems keen to take advantage this potential whenever- and however- they can.

And, if you're a HBO or comedy enthusiast, good news- if you wear a toga to the show, you'll get in for half price. Is there anything a toga can't do?

Rome'd continues at the Bad Dog Theatre, 10PM every Saturday until November 28th. For tickets and info, call 416 491 3115 or visit the BDT website.

Photo: Rob Norman, Aurora Browne, Lisa Merchant, James Gangl,
Alastair Forbes, Kris Siddiqi, Dave Pearce, and Tom MacKay do the antiquity thing.