RECOMMENDED FOR: Years 10-12
CAST SIZE: 5 performers play multiple roles (possibility of no doubling to expand the casting)
A PLAY TO: Read, read aloud, study, perform and produce.
GENRE: Contemporary take on Shakespeare’s A Comedy of Errors, comedy, slapstick, pantomime, music
THEMES: Love, death, mistaken identity
CURRICULUM LINKS: Theatre Studies/Drama – Pre Modern, Adaptation.
SYNOPSIS: A tale of two cities, two sets of twins, love, death, mistaken identity and identity theft. Antipholus and his servant Dromio arrive in Ephesus searching for their long-lost twin brothers – who also happen to be called Antipholus and Dromio. Meanwhile, Egeon has come looking for his sons and been locked up by the Duke. Throw in a jealous wife, her bratty sister, a nun, a courtesan, an exorcist, a celebrity jeweller, singing, dancing and magic tricks, and it’s a recipe for comedy chaos. And just to complicate matters, 5 actors play 13 parts. Shakespeare’s story of sundered families is especially timely now, and this playful modern language adaptation gives young audiences easy access to its plot, characters, language and themes.
STAGING: While the play is written for 5 actors playing 13 parts, the cast size can be expanded to fit the company’s needs. (Note that the actors’, and place, names used in the script should change according to your cast and location). The original production used simple staging and signage to represent location and exaggerated costumes.
Resources (PENDING PERMISSION): Education Pack – Riverside Paramatta
