The Comedy Of Errors (More Or Less) At Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescott Review

Reviewed by Alison Rood

Scousers, Scarborough, shell suits and Smash hits!

As someone who has ashamedly not opened a book by Shakespeare since I was in High school some 23 years ago, I wasn’t sure how much The Comedy of Errors (more or less) would appeal to me. I had no idea what to expect, all I knew was that Shakespearian speak wasn’t really my thing. I find that it takes all my effort trying to decipher what they are saying and I end up not really taking the story in! With this modern spin on the classic, I really needn’t have worried.

“Two rival states. Two sets of mismatched twins. One nutty day at the seaside.”

The show tells the tale of two sets of identical twins (and their lackies Dromio) who are accidently separated at birth. This inventive spin on the original is set in the North, in the 80s – a winning combination if ever there was one! The music, the fashion, the accents……

It all starts like when an actor named Antipholus from Lancashire travels to Scarborough to perform his one-man show. Unbeknownst to him, Scarborough happens to be the hometown of the identical twin brother he’s never met (also named Antipholus).

Fate has put them in the same town at the same time, which leads to mistaken identity, false accusations and ensuing chaos.

If you think that the most farcical scenes in this play would happen at the beginning and in the middle, I am here to tell you that the latter part of the show is where the chaos really begins! Just as the story is coming to fruition, just as the identical twins are about to come face to face, one of each twin is suddenly “unable to come to the stage”, resulting in all hands on deck as the other characters have to play a twin, as well as try to play their own part! Be warned, if you are in the front row, you may be called up to lend a hand too.

This show had me belly laughing! I even found myself having a sing along and seat shuffle to the range of perfectly selected 80s classics included in the scenes, faultlessly sang by the cast. These songs only served to elevate the already upbeat atmosphere of the theatre crowd.

Regarding the cast…. Shows typically have one or 2 stand out actors, not this show, they were all excellent in their own right.

The Kirkbrides excel as Antipholus, perfectly portraying the confusion and frustration of their characters as the misunderstandings and accusations levied at them start to snowball.

Alyce Liburd’s facial expressions whilst playing Adriana really brought to life her sheer exasperation at her husband’s denial of her existence. Her supportive sister Luciana played by Ida Regan is a modernised version of the original Shakespeare character. Gone is the meek and mild woman – Luciana is now strong willed and opinionated. The rapport between the two women is clear and their duet of Cher’s Jesse James was outstanding.

Oliver and Zach Mawdsley, who play the unfortunate Dromio(s) have you laughing at and feeling sorry for Dromio in good measure. Mawdsley and Kilbride’s rendition of Nik Kershaw’s “Wouldn’t it be good” was perfectly timed and perfectly executed.

Andy Cryer did an outstanding job of character shifting between a duke, a crook and a magician come psychotherapist – nailing the accent change each time. He was comedy gold, especially when he emerged wearing a shell suit and gold chain!

Valerie Antwi and Claire Eden also had to shift between characters and did so effortlessly.

Elizabeth Godber and Nick Lane have taken the bones of this Shakespeare classic and adapted it into something more accessible for those like me, who think they “don’t do “Shakespearian”

However, they have also managed to remain respectful of the original which means that the show will also appeal to traditional Shakespeare fans.

The show does contain quite a bit of language, so bear that in mind if you are easily offended or are considering taking a younger member of your family!

Rating: 5/5

The Comedy of Errors (more or less) can be seen at Shakespeare North Playhouse Prescott from Friday 3 to Saturday 25 March, and then at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough from Friday 30 March to Saturday 15 April.

Tickets are available from the Shakespeare North Playhouse box office on 0151 433 7156 and online at shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk. For Scarborough shows, tickets are available from the Stephen Joseph Theatre box office on 01723 370541 and online at www.sjt.uk.com.