The Comedy of Errors

By William Shakespeare

 

 

 

 

Shakespeare’s fastest and funniest comedy, this classic tale of mistaken identity receives a unique twist… the cast.  FTE is fortunate to have many of the brightest stars of “Once upon a time…” appearing on stage this summer. Prince Charming and Pinocchio hunt for their long lost twins, while Bo Peep suspects that her Prince of a husband is cheating on her. Tinkerbell argues for understanding, as Geppetto runs afoul of the Queen of Hearts. Join Red Riding Hood, Gimli the Dwarf, Captain Hook, The Mad Hatter, and Maleficent, as the Courtesan, for this “Shrek meets Shakespeare” production of The Comedy of Errors.

 

The Comedy of Errors is an intriguing mix of mistaken identities; two sets of separated twins, along with warring cities and jealousy run amok. The fast-moving farce by Shakespeare has witty and memorable dialogue, and unforgettable characters – despite the confusion of who exactly is married to whom! When fate conspires to bring all the lost family members together in Ephesus, the result is a comedy with the best that Shakespeare can offer, and of course it all comes out just fine in the end.

 

Synopsis:

 

The elderly merchant Egeon has run afoul of an ancient grudge between his city, Syracuse, and the city of Ephesus. The story begins with his arrest and sentenced to be executed by Solinus, Duke of Ephesus, unless 1000 marks are paid. Though the Duke cannot pardon him, he has pity on Egeon and asks him to tell his story.

 

Egeon and his wife Emilia had identical twin sons and had also raised a poor woman's identical twin sons to be their servants. A storm wrecked the ship he and his wife and family were traveling on.  Egeon and one son (Antipholus of Syracuse, or “AS”) along with Dromio of Syracuse were separated from his wife and other son (Antipholus of Ephesus, or “AE”) and Dromio of Ephesus. The poor man has continued to search for his lost wife and son for many years and has given the son and servant who survived with him the names of the presumably lost son and servant. His search has now brought him to Ephesus, and he has also granted his son's wish to go separately with his servant Dromio in search of his lost brother.

 

The plot revolves around the convergence in Ephesus of these family members and the two Dromios and the many comic consequences regarding mistaken identities and confusion. Along the way, many comic mistakes happen: Angelo the goldsmith has made a gold chain intended for AE's wife but which he mistakenly gives to AS. In another hilarious scene, Adriana, (the wife of AE) mistakes AS for him. Along the way we meet her sister Luciana (whom AS courts); her maid Luce (or Nell, wooed by Dromio of Syracuse); an arresting officer; Antipholus' courtesan; Doctor Pinch; and the abbess with whom AS seeks sanctuary. In the end, Egeon recognizes his son AE, is bailed out by him, and they are all reunited with their mother, who naturally is the helpful abbess.

 

Historical Notes:

 

Drawing its basic plot from a Greek comedy by Plautus, and from other Italian and French comedies; The Comedy of Errors is one of Shakespeare’s earlier comedies. One scene in which Antipholus of Ephesus is shut out of his own house, as well as the doubling of servants and masters are probably from the original Greek farce. Shakespeare undoubtedly added greatly to the background of the families, and added the element of danger and imprisonment. Believed to have been written around 1591 or later, the play was first recorded as performed in 1594.