Performance: 7:45pm, Tuesday 8th February, 2011
Theatre: The Belgrade, Coventry
Company: Propeller
Trailer:
Review:
Normally, I wouldn’t read a script for a play I was about to see, but it just so happened that I was studying The Comedy of Errors in my literature seminar on the same day that I saw this production.
Even though I had read the script, and so knew the story and the characters, this production was wholly unexpected. The lines were the same (mostly), and the events happened in the same order with the same characters, but Propeller’s interpretation of the text and manipulation of what Shakespeare doesn’t put in his script allows for a very successful modernisation of the play.
Set in modern Mexico (judging from the sombreros the cast was wearing as I walked into the theatre, playing guitars, violins, trumpets, and maracas), this play is, condensed into one word, fun.
One might expect the story of two sets of twins who have never met happening to be in the same city to be fairly predictable. Naturally, there is a lot of confusion when interacting with members of the city; one of the twins has a wife, who does not recognise which is which. Each of the richer twins has a servant, each of whom is also a twin, and so a lot of confusion occurs on the orders they are given. Despite these obvious plot devices, The Comedy of Errors as performed by Propeller is a fast-paced romp full of slapstick comedy and playful language.
Propeller is an interesting group of actors, in that it is entirely made up of men. The female roles are performed by male actors, much as would have happened when the play was originally written. The over-the-top costumes for the female characters added to the hilarity of the entire play, particularly the love-scenes.
The group has done an excellent job of keeping the comedy funny for a modern audience. Slapstick may seem purile to some, but the exaggerated beatings throughout the play are funny, and had the audience laughing. It was Dromio’s description of Nell, the “spherical” kitchen wench, that had the entire audience in stitches for the first time. It loosened the atmosphere set up by the long, somewhat dull introduction by Egeon, describing how the twins came to be separated. This may have been improved by enacting the story in the background, rather than having one man on stage giving an excessively long speech. But after this, the play picks up speed quickly, building to an energetic climax, leaving the audience gasping for air.
The relationship between audience and actors was helped by the interval. In the lobby, the actors performed various 80s songs to help raise money for charity. There’s something inherently amusing about a group of men singing Material Girl and a Eurythmics medley. It was great to see the actors clearly enjoying themselves; their enthusiasm and energy was infectious.
A definite feel-good play, the ending brought out a resounding “awww!” from most of the audience, followed swiftly by raucous applause. This is a play that anybody, even those who see Shakespeare as dull and boring, will enjoy. The Comedy of Errors is far from “stuffy” Shakespeare. It’s a fantastic romp through an energetic story, and Propeller do a brilliant job at maintaining the momentum.
This production is touring around UK theatres until August 2011, so I urge you to look out for it.
Overall: 10/10
Tags: comedy, comedy of errors, propeller, Review, shakespeare, Theatre, theatre review, University
