The Comedy of Errors at London’s Regents Park is a stylishly updated and somewhat musical take on the classic Shakespeare play. Directed by Philip Franks, the immortal tale of mistaken identity now has a 1940s backdrop in seductive Casablanca, and a sketch of dance routines that keep the laughs coming and coming.
A compelling opening soliloquy from Christopher Ravenscroft promises all the solemnity of a drama, but the sombre atmosphere is rapidly dispelled once Daniel Weyman and Josh Cohen leap sideways into their pas de deux with superb comic timing. With just as much verve, Daniel Llewelyn-Williams and Joseph Kloska make waves as Antipholus of Ephesus and Dromio of Syracuse. The striking similarity between slaves Kloska and Cohen, lost in error amidst the humdrum of colourful cafes and other kitsch ensembles of Gideon Davey, make it difficult to determine which is best, and which is which, and if Shakespeare really meant for such a side-splitting lampoon when he sharpened his quill.
Several audience members were stunned to find themselves face to face with a gorilla emerging from the amphitheatre’s foliage half-way through the second act, and perhaps with due cause given the proximity of the zoo. Our fears were dispelled however when a scantily clad Anna-Jane Casey emerged from her hairy shroud to reveal an enviably toned physique – no doubt honed from her time performing in stage musical, Chicago. Despite her characters minor role, Casey brings such vibrancy and vigour to the performance as the courtesan that I found myself wishing to see more of her.
The on-stage swing band was a welcome addition to the melee, and it was thoroughly refreshing to find a Shakespearean comedy so accessible. I noticed the young children sitting behind me weren’t swinging their feet against my seat, nor chewing nonchalantly on crayons, but smiling, and laughing, eyes riveted to the stage along with the rest of us.
A play on displacement and transformation, this singing, dancing explosion of theatre was a joyous affair – a laugh in the park on a warm summer’s evening.
On until 31st July.
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