Trinidad James Sandoval and Brian Tran (Photo by Grettel Cortes Photography)
Reviewed by G. Bruce Smith
Independent Shakespeare Co. at Griffith Park
Through Sept. 6
RECOMMENDED
Bukola Ogunmola (Photo by Grettel Cortes Photography)
There are many reasons why The Comedy of Errors is one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays. Not only is it short — it’s also filled with farce, slapstick, mistaken identity, as well as puns and word play. In this free production at a lovely wooded spot in Griffith Park, the Independent Shakespeare Co. draws out all of the play’s goofiness to good measure.
Two sets of identical twins, accidentally separated at birth, form the catalyst for the action.
Antipholus of Syracuse (Patrick Batiste) and his servant, Dromio of Syracuse (Trinidad James Sandoval), arrive in Ephesus, which turns out to be the home of their twin brothers, Antipholus of Ephesus (Brent Charles) and his servant, Dromio of Ephesus (Brian Tran). This leads to a series of wild mishaps, based on mistaken identities, when the Syracusans encounter the friends and families of the twins they don’t know: wrongful beatings, a near-seduction, the arrest of Antipholus of Ephesus, and false accusations of infidelity, theft, madness, and demonic possession. The twins are so identical that even they do not recognize when, as Syracusans, they are actually talking to their Ephesian counterparts, and vice versa — thus setting up multiple instances in the chain of errors.
Of course, all’s well that ends well when the twins finally meet, and another unexpected reunion occurs.
The company makes some unusual choices (some a bit puzzling) in its production, which is directed with aplomb by Melissa Chalsma, who also adapted the play and appears as the Abbess.
For example, in the company’s press release, Chalsma says they have set the play in 1949, but you’d never know it. The costumes are a stylistic hodgepodge that seems generic, with the Dromios clad in clown-like outfits. The only thing that speaks to the mid-20th century is the band, which plays several enchanting nightclub numbers written by David Melville and featuring the alluring vocalist Kalean Ung.
Why use this lounge music? The score originates from the company’s second feature film, Live at the Porpentine – a Comedy of Errors, which was made during the pandemic. “Incorporating the original songs from the film, performed live by the actors, expands the world of the Shakespeare play, and because some of the lead actors are reprising what they played in the film, they bring a unique depth to their roles,” Chalmsa says.
Perhaps, perhaps not. Regardless, adding the music hardly takes away from enjoying the show, even if it does feel a bit tacked on. And the music is really, really good.
The cast members are clearly enjoying themselves amidst the pratfalls on stage, and deliver the Bard’s witty dialogue with confidence and skill. The set (BinAnh Nguyen) is simple but serviceable, and the lighting (Bosco Flanagan) is, in places, breathtaking — illuminating the trees and enhancing the entire experience of watching silliness unfold on an outdoor stage as you share a repast with friends.
Independent Shakespeare Co., The UPPER Dell at the Old Zoo in Griffith Park; Wed.-Sun., 7 pm; thru Sept. 6 . FREE but reservations encouraged; www.indieshakes.org. Runtime Two hours and, 30 minutes with an intermission.
