~ Our Current Production ~

The Comedy of Errors

Monday 23 to Saturday 28 July 2012

Is there life for the Arcadians after the doom-laden 'Scottish Play'? Most certainly, yes! One of Shakespeare's earliest works, The Comedy of Errors is next year's production.

By setting the play in Ephesus, known to the Elizabethans by their familiarity with the letters of St Paul, Shakespeare capitalises on this knowledge by taking some of the Apostle's teachings ― slaves being obedient to their masters, wives being faithful and obedient to husbands and, supremely, the avoidance of 'concupiscence' and fornication ― and turns them on their heads. Slaves are obedient ― but to which master? Wives are faithful ― but to which husband? An erring husband discovers that fornication has financial consequences.

Ephesus was notorious for 'curious arts' ― witchcraft ― but we are a long way from the blasted heath. "This is fairyland," says Dromio, one of the slaves. And in this fantasy land, somewhere between the Arabian Nights and Oz, strange things happen. Two sets of twins, masters and their two slaves cause chaos and create a tangled skein of confusions involving orders, counter-orders, mistaken identities and lust-filled liaisons. Action, reaction, comes thick and fast until the Elizabethan love of order brings about resolution via a long-lost wife.

Farce or knockabout comedy? Always a dilemma for a director. "The way we play it will depend entirely on the skills of the actors working in ensemble during rehearsals", says director David Sherratt. "This resolution during rehearsal adds a frisson of excitement for me as the production develops."

Whatever the result, the production will be colourful, vigorous, and full of life. We look forward to seeing you in July 2012 for The Comedy of Errors.

David Sherratt, Director