Scott Bartling and Aura Rico (photo by Chris Garcia)
Reviewed by V Cate
The Long Beach Shakespeare Co
Through August 3
Written in the early 1590s, The Comedy of Errors is one of Shakespeare’s earliest and shortest plays. Drawing heavily from Roman playwright Plautus’s earlier work Menaechmi, the play is set in a bustling port city, where two sets of identical twins unknowingly find themselves in the same town after being separated at birth. Mistaken identities lead to farcical situations, set against a backdrop of classical comedy.
Overall, The Comedy of Errors is a testament to Shakespeare’s enduring wit and the universal appeal of mistaken identity comedy. While this classic slapstick farce does require a high suspension of disbelief, it also serves as a lighthearted escape from reality where all things end with loving resolution.
First-time director Rachel Speth’s interpretation of the play transports the setting from the classical Greek city of Ephesus to 1960s Turkey. This gives a bright, fun spin to production design: quirky 60s sound design from Sarah Carner scores transitions and moments, and costume design (uncredited) offers some groovy personality to the characters, though with an over-reliance on flat black fabrics. Angelica Alvarez’s set design makes potent use of a very small stage by utilizing windows, curtains, steps, and an impressive rolling set wall to approximate bustling marketplaces, winding alleyways, and inner rooms. While Carner’s lighting design remains unvaried throughout, all things do remain illuminated.
The biggest issue with this production is its ill handling of language. Whether mumbled, shrieked, garbled, rushed, or upstaged, the lines are difficult to understand throughout the show. While Shakespearean language can be intimidating to less experienced theater artists, it remains the single most important component in any of his shows. Delivering the lines with clarity would far strengthen the ensemble’s efforts, and clarify potentially confusing plot points.
Helen Borgers Theater, 4250 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 2 pm (no performance 7/20 or 8/2) ; thru Aug. 3. Running time: 2 hours with one 10-minute intermission. www.Ibshakespeare.org
