The Haunted House (Plautus)
by Plautus, Erich Segal

A father's away so his son's at play.

Under the influence of his clever slave, Tranio, the youth has purchased a lovely courtesan, and has embarked on a non-stop revel; the family home is the scene of constant wining and dining.

Then suddenly the old man shows up!

What can be done?

Tranio must dream up tricks to keep his master from entering the party-filled house.

He fabricates a fable that the house is haunted —and the father believes him.

But all sorts of complications arise, and Tranio must deftly develop new dodges and deceits to avert disaster.

He succeeds in fooling everyone, including a miserly moneylender and the old codger who lives next door.

Finally the jig is up: Tranio's wiles are exposed.

Miraculously, he gets away without punishment and all ends happily.

This is among the oldest farces in history, yet it remains fresh, fast and funny.