Comedy of Errors

The Raw Shakespeare Project are a fine ensemble of established and emerging actors who share a passion for bringing The Bard’s works to life, often in unusual or outdoor settings. Their latest offering, The Comedy of Errors opened on the 11th of January at the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Visitor’s Centre, went on to Beach Road Wines, Marion RSL Club and will finish up at Fox Creek Wines.

I attended a matinee production shaded by the giant gums in the grounds of the Marion RSL Club on a scorching South Australian day. True to their name, the Raw Shakespeare Project delivered a performance that was stripped back to basics: a grassy patch as a stage, a single and almost unnecessary set piece and a handful of props. The costumes, whilst simple, were nicely executed, convincing and clearly identified the characters.

The Comedy of Errors follows the unlikely story of two identical sets of twins separated in infancy after a shipwreck. They are Antipholus of Syracuse (Jabez Retallick) and Antipholus of Ephesus (Ognjen ‘Oggy’ Trisic) and their servants Dromio of Syracuse (Phoebe Shaw) and Dromio of Ephesus (Isabella Shaw).  Identities are mistaken and confusion reigns after the Syracusan Antipholus and his Dromio arrive in Ephesus. Events occur that cause Adriana (Kate van der Horst), the wife of Antipholus of Ephesus to conclude that her husband has gone quite mad. Duke Solinus (Damien White) and Adriana’s sister Luciana (Heather Crawford) assist Adriana to restrain her husband and servant and return them to her home. Meanwhile the Syracusan twins seek shelter with the local Abbess, Amelia, who is able to reveal the truth to the incredulous twins.

Under the direction of Damien White, all of the cast worked well with the Shakespearean language, bringing the farcical comedy of the situation to the fore and making this an accessible production for those who may not be so familiar with The Bard’s work.

White, as the indefatigable Duke Solinus brought out an endearing and cheery campness in the character. Kate Van Der Horst, as Adriana is persuasive as the confused and worried wife. But it was the Shaw sisters who really owned the show; their comic timing was spot-on. The resemblance between the two had the audience doing a double take and provided a large dose of credibility to a fantastically farcical story.

Despite the scorching heat, and the northerly gale, the show ably held the audience’s attention for the two-hour running time.

I hope to experience more of The Raw Shakespeare Project outdoors. What could be better than a well delivered Shakespearean comedy in an outdoor setting, along with good company and a picnic?

The Raw Shakespeare Project deftly conjured the anticipation and excitement that would have been met by travelling troupes of players in the days of The Bard himself.

Jenny Fewster