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Acte First Published: London, Faber & Faber, Ltd., 1964 (First UK Edition) Also Published: E. P. Dutton & Company, 1966 (First US Edition) First Stage Performance (in translation): Hamburg, Germany, 1961 DRAMATIS PERSONAE Petronius Arbiter Flavia, his niece, wife of Fabius Tester, slave Metellus, satrap of Scythia Fabaius, Roman general Tullius, a staff officer Acte, princess of Scythia Galba, councillor A Nurse Eiron, a scribe Nero, the Emperor A Waiting Maid Sporus A Barber Ghost of Agrippina appearing to Nero, jailor, slaves, servants, female attendants This 1966 drama presents events in a plausible history, cast with a typically Durrellian eye for detail and language. Set in the reign of the Emperor Nero, it revolves around Acte, a princess of Scythia [in the modern Baltics], who is taken hostage after a revolt against Roman rule and blinded by the local garrison commander. She is taken to Rome by Fabius, a Roman general who spent his youth in Scythia and learned much of their language and tradition. Acte, torn between duty to her people and the feelings that suddenly erupt in her for her enemy, is placed at the centre of the conflict. At Rome, she finds herself slowly recovering her sight as her advisor, Galba, learns of her entanglement with Fabius. In the meantime, Acte has befriended Nero, who is weak of mind and in need of companionship. She plans to kill him, and thus free her lover to take control of the Empire, but is thwarted. From the point of view of an historian, this is an intriguing play, particularly for it's portrayal of Nero as weak and childish and susceptible, as opposed to other views of him as simply mad and given to pyromania. I also appreciated the evocation of the setting in early Imperial Rome. Of course I am biased, but more drama and fiction should be set in this fascinating world. Durrell's effort is first class, and will be appreciated by a wide audience.