The Comedy of Errors
by William Shakespeare
"For slander lives upon succession,
For ever housed where it gets possession"
Act 3, Scene 1
One of Shakespeare’s funniest plays The Comedy of Errors is an enthralling farce of mayhem and mistaken identity.
When two sets of identical twins, both of whom were accidently separated at birth and are unaware of the other's existence, coincidentally end up in the town of Ephesus at the same time, hilarious consequences are inevitable. Accompanied by townsfolk and family the four twins find their lives inexplicably descending into riotous chaos.
Replete with mishaps and wild accusations of infidelity, theft and madness, The Comedy of Errors confronts us with the alarming possibility that our reason and senses are not always to be relied upon…
With our dynamic young actors ensemble - The Residents - galloping through all of Shakespeare’s hilarity, puns, word play and slapstick, we’re confident that we will turn your students on to Shakespeare!
About the Director
Sydney Theatre Company's Voice and Text Coach, Charmian Gradwell has worked as an actor, director, voice/text specialist and movement director on productions worldwide. Prior to joining Sydney Theatre Company, Charmian worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company's Voice and Text department in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, from 2005-2008. She is a strong advocate for bringing the power of Shakespeare's language into different environments, including schools, prisons, private gardens, market squares and puppetry festivals.
WHARF 2
Cost $21/student
Duration 90 minutes, no interval
Suits Yrs 7-12
Resources Comprehensive student and teacher resources provided
Why book? A riotously funny intro to Shakespeare for English and Drama students.
Great links for English topic Belonging and Shakespearean Comedies.
Reviews
"Consistently engaging, very funny and highly accessible... this punchy production would serve as an excellent introduction to Shakespeare for younger students, or those studying its text. For anyone else, it is still a thoroughly entertaining night at the theatre." - Australian Stage
"lively and inventive... delightful and infectious" The Australian