Comedy of Errors is one of the Bard’s most farcical, full of slapstick, puns, word play and mistaken identity.
Last summer, the Charlotte Shakespeare Festival produced, Twelfth Night, which featured identical twins separated during a storm at sea. When both arrive at the same city, hilarious confusion ensues.
In Comedy of Errors, the confusion doubles as Shakespeare introduces the audience to two sets of identical twin brothers. Creating even more chaos, the two sets of brothers share the same names: the gentlemen, Antipholus and their servants, Dromio.
When Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse journey to Ephesus, home of their long lost twins, the other Antipholus and Dromio, wild mishaps multiply. Mistaken identities lead to wrongful beatings, a near-seduction, an arrest, theft, madness, accusations of infidelity and demonic possession.
As the play races at breakneck speed toward the final act, the audience will wonder: How can the Bard bring order to all the comical disorder? Before the curtain falls, there’s a surprise appearance by a long-lost spouse, a gold chain claimed by several people, a “spherical” kitchen maid, an exorcism and a commuted death sentence, just in the nick of time.
Director Joe Copley has a few tricks up his sleeve regarding set design, costumes and music.
“The tone I want to set for the show is catchy, up-tempo and fun, almost wacky - but not quite,” explains Copley. “This will be a very physical show, with lots and lots of sight gags, punctuated by music. Some of gags will occur between scenes, with no dialogue, to move the story along - and get some laughs.”
The Charlotte Shakespeare Festival (www.charlotteshakespeare.com) presents Comedy of Errors under the stars on The Green Uptown from June 3-20. Admission is free. Bring a blanket, food and drink and come early to enjoy Festivities, the special pre-show entertainment.
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