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A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a comedy set in Ancient Rome, where slaves were fashionably over the top, virgins were regarded as objects to be dominated, and one slave name Pseudolus (Zero Mostel), a Roman slave, owned by Hero, who seeks to win his freedom by helping his young master win the heart of Philia. He is Sneaky and a playful prankster who is desperate to be free. The plot displays many classic elements of farce, including puns; lots of philosophical lessons, cases of mistaken identity, often involving characters disguising themselves as one another, and humorous comments on social class.
Zero Mostel's roles on the big screen were larger than life, just as he was. That seemed to be the case for Zero Mostel, whose flamboyant roar and broad gestures were better suited to the stage. He was very observant and has high imagination, creating his character convincing. The imagination of his grew in particular details (for example, when the gladiator tosses him a net, trapping him; his facial expression was more than just scared, it was horrified and over-done). He could do it all: act, sing, dance; he was a poet of pantomime, a man of extremes. While playing “Tomcat” with his “hold me, touch me” little-old-lady backer, he touches down on all fours, stretch-curves his back inward, licks his hands then smoothes back the hair on each side of his head preparing to purr.
He was confident and ultimately his performance created the ability to affect and control his audience. He understood every aspect of the production- costumes, scenery, properties, lights and sound affects their performance and how it will perceive the audience. The ability to do all that is a major test of acting skills.

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