THE COMEDY OF ERRORS run dates 6/21/2008 - 6/29/2008 Genesius Guild, at the Lincoln Park Classic Theatre, Rock Island, Illinois ____________________________________________________________________________
By Briana Byrd
I began the Genesius Guild’s performance of THE COMEDY OF ERRORS – as anyone who doesn’t regularly read or watch much Shakespeare would — quite confused.
It was as though I entered another country and didn’t speak the language; however, after the initial adjustment period I processed the lingo. Then I got into the plot and laughed until the final bow.
One of the things I enjoyed most during in the production – and which helped greatly with the "translation" – were puppets used to give background. The puppets work as a flashback to help the audience better understand what happened in the past, which is essential to the humor of the piece.
This story of two sets of identical twins – a pair of young brothers and their servants – separated from the other and then reunited unknowingly, is filled with mistaken identity and confusion. It’s easy to see where all the errors come about in this COMEDY.
Dromio and Dromio, played by Kevin Wender and Jonathan Gregoire, virtually steal the show, as they entertain the audience through their overtly slapstick humor. Antipholus and Antipholus, played by Neil Friberg and Michael Schmidt, don’t disappoint either, leaving me nearly sore from so much laughter.
Some additional standouts were Adriana, Antipholus of Ephasus’ wife (Molly McLaughlin), Luciana, Adriana’s sister (Grace Pheiffer) and Dr. Pinch (Michael King). All are dynamic and demanding when on the stage, capturing the audience’s attention.
All the actors do an excellent job, using physicality and gestures (as was intended with this material) to further illuminate the scenes. Their exaggerated movements add even more humor to the already hilarious play.
The set is well put together and enhances the laughs in the story, actually increasing the necessary confusion between the twins, who sometimes run from person to person in disarray. It even allows the illusion that sometimes the characters are chasing each other in circles — it really seems as though when one leaves the other enters.
Aside from some slight volume issues (especially from some of the female performers) that are not unusual in an outdoor setting, this COMEDY is an excellent example of one of Shakespeare’s best-loved scripts.
I came from the show reminded that humor is often universal, no matter what time period something is created. You’ll remember that, too, if you visit Lincoln Park to see a truly great COMEDY OF ERRORS.
