Daniel Adeosun as Antipholus of Syracuse and Phoebe Naughton as Courtesan in The Comedy of Errors at Shakespeare's Globe (© Marc Brenner)An early work dating from c.1594 the storyline was largely a reworking of Plautus’s Menacchmi with two sets of twins parted as babes during a storm at sea. Each Dromio twin becomes a manservant to one of the Antipholus twins and whilst one of these pairings is saved and taken to Syracuse where they live with Antipholus’ father Egeon, the other pair are inadvertently separated from their mother Emilia (who becomes a nun) and eventually find their way to Ephesus. When years later the Syracusan pair venture into forbidden Ephesian territory in search of their long lost siblings, there begins a sequence of farcical mistakes as a result of confused identities and mixed instructions.
In truth, the plot has more holes than a colander, but the outcomes are intentionally convoluted and slapstick. Thankfully, here in the accomplished hands of a well-rehearsed troupe, many of whom exhibit a natural gift for timing and delivery of knowing humour, the results are consistent and thoroughly engaging (save one individual who seems determined to drag-out his tragic back-story to such an extent, that it jars with the overall absurdist intentions of the plot). Key elements, including the accusations of feckless husbands levelled at shrewish mistresses, and the punishments meted-out to disobedient manservant’s by their exasperated masters, land well and elicit the requisite laughter on which a farce of this nature depends.
Whilst the leads Antipholus of Syracuse (Daniel Adeosun) and Antipholus of Ephesus (Caleb Roberts) carry most responsibility for driving the plot twists forward, it is the supporting players, most especially the Two Dromios (Martin Quinn and Sam Swann) together with the goldsmith Angelo (Christopher Logan), Ariana (Gabrielle Brooks), Luciana (Shalisha James-Davis) and the Courtesan (Phoebe Naughton) who are afforded most opportunities to cultivate audience reaction and they each grab their moments with aplomb. The Duke (Rhys Rusbatch) gets finally to make sense of all the loose ends as he reunites Egeon (Paul Rider) and Emilia the Abbess (Anita Reynolds) years after their enforced separation at sea. One could almost say that all’s well that ends well.
Other cast members making a positive impact in this production, include: Danielle Phillips, Roman Hayeck-Green, Lizzie Schenk, and the onstage musical players Hilary Belsen, Tom Harrison, Emily Baines, Sarah Humphrys and Saleem Raman.
