The Comedy of Errors at The Lowry Review
The Comedy of Errors
The Lowry, Manchester
28 February to 1 March 2014
Reviewed by Michelle Wright
The all-male cast of Propeller pull off yet another fantastic performance of a Shakespearean Classic, The Comedy of Errors. In fact this I think is my favourite yet! Does an all-male cast add to or detract from the production? – in this case, it most certainly adds to it. The pantomime dame character adds the comedy value to an already hilarious show, and the Propeller team add comic twists throughout.
The storyline is of two identical sets of twins being separated at birth, who find themselves in the same city 25 years later. A story of mistaken identity, confusion, mishaps and disguises – the basis of any Elizabethan comedy – but with as many bells and whistle on as you could imagine!
Just to add to the productions already farcical expectation, instead of the setting being in Ephesus, we find ourselves in a cheesy Spanish holiday resort, complete with rowdy football fans, and even an evangelical preacher and a purple knee high booted nun thrown in for good measure! And the propeller team have brought it more up to date when the cast renders performances of Spandau Ballet’s classic hit, Gold.
Mix all of that together with outstanding performances from the whole cast and you really are in for a treat! Think Shakespeare meets Monty Python and musicals and you won’t be far off.
I never expected to be crying with laughter at a Shakespearean comedy, but there I was with tears rolling down my cheeks!
An absolutely fabulous night with the pleasure of seeing some amazing stage production and incredible acting!
Rating: 5/5 
Propellor are curring on a UK tour with A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Comedy of Errors, for more information and tour dates visit www.propeller.org.uk.
