Emperor Nero

Emperor Nero – Creating History Series

A lively, humorous classroom play that brings one of Rome's most notorious emperors to life!

When Emperor Nero returns victorious from Britannia, he expects praise, celebration, and admiration. Instead, he finds Rome in chaos—crumbling houses, rubbish everywhere, and a smell that even a Roman emperor can't ignore! Determined to restore his city's glory, Nero gives an order that spirals wildly out of control, leading to the Great Fire of Rome.

In this fast‑paced and funny play, children meet boastful senators, baffled Britons, loyal (but not very bright) soldiers, and the early Christians who become Nero's scapegoats. With energetic dialogue, slapstick moments, and plenty of opportunities for creative staging, Emperor Nero helps young readers explore Roman history through drama, imagination, and laughter.

Perfect for assemblies, literacy lessons, drama workshops, or history projects, this script offers speaking and non‑speaking roles, flexible casting, and simple staging ideas. Part of the Creating History Series, it encourages pupils to adapt, mime, freeze‑frame, or perform the play in their own unique way.

A fun, accessible introduction to the Romans—and a memorable look at the emperor who "fiddled while Rome burned."