The Comedy of Errors

It was a real treat to be invited to a play by Shakespeare and The Comedy of Errors is such fun.   It is one of Shakespeare's earlier works and one of his shortest comedies.  It had been decided to perform in modern dress and this worked well,  no doubt helping to make it immediately accessible to the audience.     The  Dromio twin brothers were played by actresses, two fine comediennes.  This was very quickly accepted, demonstrating that it is possible to cast the opposing gender where desired, or necessary.  In Shakespeare's day, we understand all parts would have been played by men.  Incidentally, earlier this summer I saw a production of All's Well that Ends Well where actresses were cast in some of the male roles and that too was very successful.

We attended The Comedy of Errors on the opening night and the performance was polished and the pace was excellent.  As actors exited the stage they were replaced by others coming on. We were not left looking at an empty stage for a moment.  Our interest was constantly on the next crazy happenings in this joyous play.  So many elements of slapstick, mistaken identity, potential infidelity, all bringing opportunities to amuse and entertain.  There was a wonderful chase scene, starting with just a very few and at each exit and re-entrance more characters joined and by the end, almost the entire cast was involved, with a nun bringing up the rear.  Very cleverly staged and executed.  Farce at its best.   It is wonderful to see how the humour of something written more than four hundred years ago is able to thoroughly amuse a present-day audience

The play was written in a way we do not speak today and it was important for the dialogue to be clear.  The diction was excellent and every beautiful word could be heard.  Sound and lighting were very ably operated by members of  Exeter Little Theatre. 

The costumes were of modern type and had been chosen well.  With a fast-moving comedy, it is good for the audience to be able to quickly identify the different characters and clever costume choice is of great assistance with this.

The set had been built by the company.  It was well planned and attractive with a number of exits, so necessary for the chase. The Merchant's house contained a tower where members of the household would suddenly appear aloft, adding to the fun.

The large cast of some seventeen actors had demonstrably "absorbed"  their characters, the tone of the play and their place in the story.  The action was slick and there was a wonderfully "light and frothy" feeling to this production, the result, no doubt of strong rehearsals and teamwork.  This had been written to amuse and entertain and with the commitment of the actors under skilfull direction, this was achieved.  When Shakespeare is approached in this way it is so easily enjoyed and understood by the audience.  Please, drama groups don't shy away from Shakespeare, there is such a wealth of fabulous plays just waiting to be savoured.

The overriding feeling the audience was left with at the end of the evening was what huge fun it had been and what a pity it was over.  This was an evening of excellent entertainment.  

 

 

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