The Comedy of Errors

What a rousin’ riproarin’ production this was – and for a Shakespearean comedy that is not often performed, TheatreiNQ’s latest outdoor Shakespeare The Comedy of Errors has got to be the definitive version in my mind.

For those who are not familiar with theatre in North Queensland, this amazing little professional company survives on no regular funding, but as if to compensate it continually produces extraordinary work which constantly raises the bar in terms of quality, creativity and courage – all bound up in an irresistible warmth and excitement that invites everyone to share in the joy of this happy theatre family.

Set definitively in the wild west, It starts with the set – a glorious design by actor Brendan O’Connor who almost singlehandedly also constructed it. There is a western street complete with saloon, jail, church (and churchyard with hysterically silly epitaphs eg “Here lies JOHNNY YEAST … pardon me for not rising”), thus setting the tone for the ludicrous fun of the evening. (Think Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles.)

And after experiencing a production like this, one has to contemplate why it is so seldom performed. Perhaps it is because the casting has challenges. There are two sets of twins – or actors that sufficiently resemble each other – who are the centre of the buffoonery and this needs to be believable. Add to this the fact that there are no familiar lines that are part of the lexicon, and this is perhaps the problem.

No such problems though for this production which explores the whole meaning of The Comedy of Errors – a humorous situation caused by a series of successive mistakes – to glorious effect. There is so much depth to this play that can be explored from an interpretation and actor’s point of view. There’s the stock characters from the traditions of commedia dell’arte - still used less obviously but still clearly identifiable to this day – and we have the basis for a bawdy farce.

Once again director Terri Brabon has a disciplined and enthusiastic cast combining professional actors with the best of community actors (and acting) for a rollicking good production which once again raises the bar on her own standards. One of her characteristic trademarks as a director is a “soundtrack” if one could call it that, and this time it is a western movie soundtrack which includes just about every western movie theme and fun cliché that one can think of. All a reflection of buffoonery and ridiculous idiocy of Shakespeare’s only farce, complete with its obligatory combination of mistaken identities and swapped babies, as well as suspected infidelity, craziness and even a bit of witchcraft thrown in for good humorous measure.

Then there are the all-important actors.

The Dromio twins are played by wonderful broad physicality by professional actors Brendan O’Connor (Dromio of Ephesus) and Syd Brisbane (Dromio of Syracuse). Theirs is the commedia dell’ arte character of Zanni the buffoon. Both actors demonstrated a great sense of comic timing and the audience delighted in their constant (if painful) horseplay.

Switch to their masters – the Antipholus twins - and there we have the commedia character of Pantalone, played with great energy and an overriding sense of the ridiculous by company actors Michael Gleeson (Syracuse) and Ron Pullman (Ephesus).

Then there’s Adriana (is she Colombine?) who must surely be one Shakespeare’s underrated female characters. Terri Brabon’s performance showed just how adept she is at her comic timing and her knowledge of just how deliver a complicated speech had one quite breathless – and applauding.

Other trinkets in this veritable cornucopia include Sally McCutcheon’s charming performance as Luciana; Bernie Lanigan’s excitable Angelo, the Italian goldsmith; Arminelle Fleming’s Abbess and Kellie Esling as the lusty, overweight Nell. I also enjoyed the two tarts – Shai Regan and Paris Walsh -but when all is said and done it is the entire ensemble that is responsible for the overall enjoyment of the night. To them I doff my cap. From the most experienced to the novice, there is no discernible difference in terms of passion, commitment and delivery. And that is what is so special about this extraordinary company that is so deserving of wider appreciation.

A filibuster of a night enjoyed on a balmy tropical night outdoors under the enormous trees in Townsville’s Queens Gardens. From the first line dance to introduce the cast to the energetic shindig at the end, this production had every member of the audience laughing out loud and enjoying every minute of silliness. And what better tonic in these uncertain times than unbridled laughter?  

Trevor Keeling

Photographer: Chrissy Maguire