Let’s start by admitting that Shakespeare’s “Comedy of Errors” is a fine play, but not really a bell ringer for Shakespeare’s genius. It is a type of comedy (servants and masters and mistaken identities) that has been formulaic since Ancient Greece and Rome, and remains formulaic today. This doesn’t mean it’s bad. It just means that in this case, for once, the play is NOT the thing. The performances are the thing. The script is basically an outline within which comic performers can strut their stuff. If it is well designed, laughter will follow.
So: “Comedy of Errors” may not be “Hamlet” or “King Lear” but it is Shakespeare’s, and it works. Shakespeare was not just a literary genius; he was a practical man of the theatre and he knew all the tricks.
The premise is simple (sort of). There are two sets of twins, separated at birth. There is Dromio of Syracuse, who is servant to Antipholus of Syracuse. And there is also Dromio of Ephesus who is servant to Antipholus of Ephesus. The two Dromios are identical twins, as are the Antipholuses. But neither of the Dromios knows they have a twin, and likewise for Antipholus and Antipholus. Is this confusing? Don’t worry about it. Because it gets even worse.
In this modern bilingual adaptation, Syracuse and Ephesus have been replaced by Mexico and the good ol’ U.S. of A. This adds the fun twist that not only do the twins live in different cities, they speak different languages. And, in this production, both languages are used throughout, and neither is shortchanged. Much is explained twice, once in English and once in Spanish, or vice versa, so nobody needs to be lost. Except you will be, and that’s part of the fun.
This whirlwind of languages and twins and silliness and confusion is so ridiculous that it cannot help but put you in the mood to laugh. Which is good, because that’s the point. Once you accept the fact that nothing is going to make sense, you are free to laugh at the rough-and-tumble, Vaudeville-style, fast-paced physical comedy of mistaken identities that is the whole point of this fandango.
In a mere 90 minutes, with no intermission, the company tears up the stage, tumbling, punching, screaming, screeching, dancing, wriggling, and somersaulting their way to a wildly enthusiastic ovation, with some Mexican music and a few audience participation gags thrown in for good measure.
It’s like being locked in an asylum with the Ritz Brothers, Jim Carrey, Gilda Radner, Phyllis Diller, Jerry Lewis, and — above all — the Three Stooges, all of them determined to make you laugh or bust trying. Odds are, you’ll laugh.
The top bananas of this clownfest are Deanalis Arocho Resto playing both Antífolo de México and Antipholus of U.S.A. and Hugo Carbajal playing Drómio de México and Dromio of U.S.A. They never stop moving, and the audience never stops laughing. Fight Director Dave Maier goes to town. Maier’s skills at traditional stage fighting (fencing, boxing, wrestling, weaponry — the usual thuggery) are well attested. In this case, however, he uses his skills not for thrills (OMG, will they really bleed???), but laughter. The actors are having a ball. You won’t worry about them hurting each other, but you might worry that you will strain a laugh muscle or two right there in your seat. And Maier isn’t working alone. There is more to great physical comedy than just fighting, and choreographer Bridgette Loriaux makes sure that no laughs are lost in the scuffle. The rest of the ensemble are equally over the top in all the best ways.
So, if you like to laugh, buy a ticket.
If I haven’t convinced you by now, I give up.
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Rating: ***** (For an explanation of TheatreStorm’s rating system, click here.)
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“La Comedia of Errors” by William Shakespeare. Bilingual adpation by Bill Rauch and Lydia G. Garcia. Produced by Marin Shakespeare Company in partnership with Play On Shakespeare. Director: Karina Gutiérrez. Choreographer: Bridgette Loriaux. Fight Director: Dave Maier. Costume Design: Alice Ruiz. Scenic Design: Carlos-Antoniko Aceves. Lighting Design: Noah Rojas-Domke. Sound Design: Michael Kelly. Props Design: Elisabeth Reeves. Original Compositions: Grant Ruiz.
Cast:
AntÍfolo de México/Antipholus of U.S.A.: Deanalis Aroicho Resto. Drómio de México/Dromio of U.S.A.: Hugo Carbajal. Sheriff Solinus/Baltazar: Christian Jiminez. The Guide/El Guía/Angelo/Canadian Man: Brady Morales-Woolery. Deputy/Emlia/Barkeep: Carolina Morones. Adriana: Briana J. Resa. Luciana: Megan Soledad. Musician: Edie Flores.
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