COMEDY OF ERRORS till 13 August
Exeter
THE COMEDY OF ERRORS
by William Shakespeare
Northcott Theatre Company at Rougemont Gardens, Exeter To 13 August 2005
Mon-Sat 7.45pm Mat 6 Aug 2.30pm
Audio-described 11 August
BSL Signed 10 August
Runs 2hr One interval
TICKETS: 01392 493493
www.northcott-theatre.co.uk
Review: Hazel Brown 19 July
Judicious doubling and pruning create a comedy of delights in lovely open-air settingBen Crocker's production of this early Shakespeare comedy, with judicious pruning and clever doubling, is a fast, funny summer delight, beautifully staged in the lovely open-air setting of Rougemont Gardens. Kit Surrey has taken a Victorian theme for the sets and costumes with echoes of Crystal Palace in the set and a nod in the direction of middle-eastern harems for the flounced costumes of the women.
David Partridge and Gordon Cooper play both Antipholuses and Dromios, with a neat and discreet alteration to their costumes to denote whether they are playing the Ephesian or Syracusian pair of twins who were separated at birth.
The comedy starts on a serious note with Egeon, the father of the twins, on trial for his life, as he cannot pay a fine. He tells his sad story of searching for his lost wife, sons and their twin servants and is given a day to raise the sum. And what a day it is, with Antipholus (master) and Dromio (servant) from Syracuse arriving in Ephesus, not knowing that they have doubles living in the same town.
The two actors have a hilarious time reacting to one another in either persona, with much beating of the two' Dromios being meted out by the two' Antipholuses. There is one added complication Antipholus of Ephesus is married to Adriana who has a sister, Luciana.
Many more misunderstandings ensue involving a courtesan, a necklace and sums of money. Poor Adriana ends up so confused that she eventually arranges for her husband' to be exorcised by a doctor David Gwillim in splendid form as an American-style roaring preacher, Dr Pinch.
Catherine Kanter is by turns comically shrewish and bewildered. Emma Stansfield as her sister, Luciana, has a wonderful scene where she is courted by her brother-in-law', reacting with stifled attraction overlaid with prim horror at his advances. When one of the Antipholuses finally takes refuge in a Priory run by a wise and calm Abbess, a happy dénouement ensues.
This is a perfect production for whiling away a summer night and, even though the audience is under cover, remember a cushion to soften the hard seats and a blanket for your knees.
Egeon/Dr Pinch: David Gwillim
Duke of Ephesus/Officer: Jeffrey Harmer
1st Merchant/Balthasar/2nd Merchant: Noel White
Antipholus of Syracuse/Antipholus of Ephesus: David Partridge
Dromio of Syracuse/Dromio of Ephesus: Gordon Cooper
Adriana: Catherine Kanter
Luciana: Emma Stansfield
Luce, Dromio's Double: Anthony Glennon
Angelo: Steve Bennett
Courtesan: Aimee Cowen
Abbess: Deirdra Morris
Antiphosus's Double: Paul Curran
Director: Ben Crocker
Designer: Kit Surrey
Lighting Designer: Russell Payne
Composer: Duncan Chave
Fight Director: Kate Waters
2005-07-26 09:36:58