Comedy Of Errors

This adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s early plays used puppets, magic and music, along with the Bard’s words to tell the story of two sets of estranged identical twins and the confusion which arises when their paths cross. The back story of the piece is set through puppetry, magic and mime by Dr Pinch (Josh Simpson) and his troupe of players (Meg Stranger, Ruby Harrison, Katie McLean and songstress Carys Taylor). Paul Patterson and Reuben Gedge as twins Antipholus of Syracuse and Ephesus respectively gave excellent performances. So too did Imogen Watt and Erin Stark as Dromio of Syracuse and Ephesus respectively, their twin servants, with their comic antics and expressions eliciting lots of laughter from the audience. Strong performances were also given by Olivia Watt (Adriana) and Elizabeth Smith (her sister Luciana) as the love interests of the Antipholus twins. Much laughter was also provided by Jack Foreman as a grotesque Luce the Kitchen Maid and Mikey Nicoll and Scott Sambrook as the Duke’s hapless Officers. Strong support was given by Euan Reid (Aegeon, father of the Antipholus twins), Alexa Sambrook (Amelia, their mother), Elijah O’Connor (Duke Solinus), Euan Banks (Angelo, the Goldsmith), Conor Archer (The Spanish Merchant), Cara Whitelaw (The Courtesan) and Grace Geddes (The French Merchant). The costuming of the cast in bright 1950’s style, set against a brilliant white set, allowed snatches of music of the era – from “Cry Me A River” to “Shake, Rattle and Roll”- to be used very effectively in the telling of the story. Singing and movement from every one of the young cast members was excellent.

Congratulations to all at MSD Productions for once again proving that Shakespeare can be fun!

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