For literally thousands of years, the story of the mad Roman Emperor Caligula has passed through history, serving as a cautionary tale about the corruption that comes with absolute power and a collection of gruesome anecdotes to freak out your friends (OK, maybe that was just me).

Walking Shadow Theatre Company tackles this story in its latest production, a new adaptation by David Greig of Albert Camus' pre-World-War-II play. No matter the age of the material, or of the version, the story still resonates, says Director Amy Rummenie.

"At its core, 'Caligula'is about the dangers of philosophical absolutism in all its forms; from religious intolerance to black and white political stances. Caligula is a leader who takes a bold philosophical argument and pushes it to logical extremes," she says. "In return, we see the impact on his subordinates -- he tests the limits of their endurance and we get a terrifying sense of how far a charismatic leader can veer off course before the populace has the courage to strike back.”

Like any dramatist, Camus adds his own layers to the story. Camus' portrait of Caligula draws from a variety of historical sources, each one of its own dubious accuracy. As with any history told by the victor, the information that survives about Caligula "is tinged with the desires of the writer,” Rummenie says. "Camus has picked details from these sensational stories and adapted them to suit his philosophical argument. Because this play was written on the cusp of WWII and first performed in 1945, there has always been speculation that it speaks on the dangers of the Nazis and their ilk, but Camus asserted that it was first and foremost a 'tragedy of the intelligence.' "

David Gangler, in the title role, spent considerable time and research trying to get under the skin of Caligula the character, and the existentialist Camus' approach to the story.

"In the end, I don't think Camus is advocating that people should go out and follow Caligula's lead," Gangler says.  "I think the point of Caligula in this play is to give the audience a window into the notion that life has no meaning. ... I think Camus presents a thesis and then attacks the thesis with other characters later on, so that in the end the audience will leave thinking for themselves about whether life has any intrinsic meaning or whether they create their own meaning in life."

Rummenie sees the message in a similar way.

"As it asks what it is to be alive and aware of the universe, the play investigates the idea that life is too precious to be wasted on the superficialities of social pecking order and blind habit, with all meaning solely created by our own desires," she says.

"Caligula." Through Feb. 28 at Red Eye Theater, 15 West 14th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55403. $14 and $16. (612) 375-0300 or online.