The Comedy of Errors

Directions Theatre in Hobart has been presenting Shakespeare in the gardens at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens for sixteen years. Ingrid Ganley and Ros Peck began Directions Theatre in 1998 to provide Shakespeare to local, often new-to-theatre audiences, and last presented The Comedy of Errors in 2006.

This latest Bollywood-theme version was chosen due to the match between the fun and physical nature of Bollywood comedies and the frenzied nature of The Comedy of Errors. The style suited the mostly young cast. The two Dromios were a good physical match, as befits identical twins, and the fast pace of Ben Harvey and Christopher Forbes and the silliness of their almost slapstick-style gymnastics had particular appeal, especially for the younger audience members.

Although Robert Maxwell as Antipholus of Syracuse and Jared Smith as Antipholus of Ephesus did not look so similar as to pass for identical twins, their differences added to the confusion nicely.

In an outdoor setting, with actors relying on diction and projection to reach the audience, this cast did a better than admirable job of projection. It is a delight to go to a play to see and hear actors rely on their vocal projection skills rather than technology. The actors also used pausing, mime and good old-fashioned engagement with the audience to maintain the pace, under the guidance of highly experienced director Ingrid Ganley.

Tamara Bloomfield as the Duke, a merchant and an officer was especially adept at drawing laughs out of the silly nuances of the story. Megan Brockie played three roles, slipping in and out of character as quickly as she changed costume. Brian Andrews also handled three parts well, and Luke Visentin also showed his range in two roles. Jessica Davies as Adriana the anxious wife of Antipholus of Ephesus and Sera Goldstone as her sister Luciana handled the confusion of the unfolding plot-line well.

I have seen laboured versions of this play – that was not allowed, as the pace became faster and the action wilder. The Bollywood-style music, vibrantly colourful costumes and the dance sequences were fun. The audience enjoyed the show, as did I, and once again Directions Theatre has reached another set of theatre-goers.

Merlene Abbott