The Comedy of Errors (More or Less) review

The dramaturgy takes delightful liberties with the source material (certainly more Shakespeare plays could withstand the addition of singing confectionary side plots) but many threads are left unravelled, despite good groundwork being laid. The second act in particular becomes overwrought around the reveal (Twins! Twins everywhere!) at the expense of fuller resolution. The pudding is rather over-egged, with laboured routines and repetitive gags at the expense of trusting some of the more subtle humour in Shakespeare’s comedy. 

Farce works best when played with total sincerity, and the best moments are when the original text and performers persevere in spite of the silliness. Claire Eden is masterful – her mournful Egeon might resort to Eccles-cake-based bribery in search of her lost sons, but it’s never at the expense of RSC-level earnestness. There is also excellent work from Liburd, who wrings laughs out of a stompy Adriana (Antipholus of Scarborough’s pissed off wife) balanced with pure clowning in the chorus moments. 

This is a production that has fully committed to a good night out – it has metaphorically pre-booked the taxi and stocked up on pre-drinks – and nothing is spared in keeping the audience on board. Robinson, Gober and Lane have thrown a veritable clown bucket of glitter over Shakespeare’s original, with constant interaction, slapstick, brilliantly stupid costumes and even sing-along song sheets. It’s all engaging high jinks, if at moments reminiscent of the relentless energy of holiday camp entertainment.