STC’s ‘Comedy of Errors’: Connecting, We Find Ourselves
By • September 19, 2024 0 12
By Lucy Cullen
The Shakespeare Theater Company opened its production of William Shakespeare’s “Comedy of Errors” on Sept. 10, directed by Simon Godwin. The show follows Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse as they arrive to the island of Ephesus, the home of (though unbeknownst to them) their respective twin brothers, Antipholus and Dromio of Ephesus. As the Syracusian twins encounter the friends and families of the Ephesus twins, they are confused for one another, leaving each character to question who they truly know and what they may have done according to what they are being told. Needless to say, chaos follows.
Godwin’s modern take on this play makes Shakespeare’s language easily digestible for the audience, regardless of their level of Shakespearean expertise. He seamlessly transfers a 16th century text into a modern-day story of family ties and identity crises. The set, portraying Ephesus as a 1990s Mediterranean seaport, is colorful, decorated with flowers and occupied by merchant shops and homes. While the Antipholi and Dromio twins are dressed in completely matching outfits, the rest of the ensemble sports all clothing styles in hues of yellow—plaid pants with combat boots, a three-piece suit, a vibrant bodycon dress with stilettos and more. The costumes draw the audience’s focus to the twins, yet they simultaneously give each ensemble character individuality. The set accompanied by the costumes provide an energy to the audience before the play even begins, an energy that is only elevated as the show goes on.
Shayvawn Webster and Cloteal L. Horne in “Comedy of Errors.” Photo by Teresa Castracane Photography.
Each ensemble member develops their own character, whether they speak throughout the show or not. They are just as confused as the leads themselves, making it clear to the audience that nobody truly knows what is going on. The Dromio twins, played by Alex Brightman (“School of Rock” on Broadway) and David Fynn (“School of Rock” on the West End), are undoubtedly the stars of the show. Not a scene goes by in which either twin does not get a laugh from the entire audience. They combine puns and wordplay with slapstick comedy, bringing a sense of levity to the underlying themes of questioning identity and estranged family.
There are small musical interludes throughout the show, sea shanties that add to the coastal atmosphere. However, the final number blew the entire audience away. Everyone was clapping along and gave the cast a standing ovation as they took their bows. Safe to say not a single eye was dry in the Klein Theatre—from laughter, that is.
Despite the play’s slightly agonizing confusion, paired with its hilarious storytelling, Godwin’s production of “Comedy of Errors” leaves the audience with something deeper: the sentiment that through our connections with others, we can find ourselves. As Dromio of Ephesus says, “And now let’s go hand in hand, not one before another.”
“Comedy of Errors” runs through Oct. 20 at the Klein Theatre.
