The Comedy of Errors
By William Shakespeare
October 14-16 & 21-24, 2010
Askanase Auditorium
Directed by Lori Horvik
High School Drama Day - October 22
A riotous comedy of mistaken identity!
The Bard takes mistaken identity one step further in The Comedy of Errors by using two sets of identical twins and their adventures during one absurd day. While searching for their brothers, Antipholus and Dromio are mistaken for their twins, also named Antipholus and Dromio, causing a marital rift, budding love, false arrest, failed exorcism, and errors of betrayal in this series of hilarious twists and turns.
The Story: Aegeon, a merchant of Syracuse, became the father of twin boys thirty-three years before the play begins. After christening them both Antipholus, he proceeded to purchase servants for his sons, also identical twins, both named Dromio. Aegeon and his wife, Aemelia, were shipwrecked in a violent storm while traveling with the Antipholus's and Dromio's. Aegeon was able to save on boy and one servant; his wife the other pair. Aegeon and Aemelia have not seen each other since.
The Play: Antipholus and Dromio (Pair 1) travel to the city of Ephesus in an effort to find their long-lost twins, unaware that Aegeon has also arrived in pursuit of the same quest. Aegeon is arrested and condemned to death unless a ransom is paid by sunset. Unbeknownst to them all, the Antipholus and Dromio (Pair 2) they are searching for are living in Ephesus.
Suddenly, strangers are greeting the travelers like old friends, Antipholus (1) has puzzlingly acquired a wife, and everyone in Ephesus seems to behaving very strangely...
Teachers!
The Acting Company has an excellent online lesson plan for The Comedy of Errors. Click here to gain ideas and information, not to mention Shakespearean insults, and share with your students!
Cast of Characters
Character |
Cast Member |
Solinus, Duke of Ephesus |
Jordan Christie |
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Aegeon, merchant of Syracuse, Aemelia's long-lost husband |
Scott Tolzmann |
Aemelia, Abbess at Ephesus, Aegeon's long-lost wife |
Morgan Hessman |
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Antipholus of Syracuse, twin son of Aegeon and Aemelia |
Connor Chancellor |
Antipholus of Ephesus, twin sone of Aegeon and Aemelia |
Seth Eberle |
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|
Adriana, wife of Antipholus of Ephesus |
Brianna French |
Luciana, Adriana's sister |
Hannah Andring |
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Dromio of Syracuse, twin slave of Antipholus of Syracus |
Luke Zeman |
Dromio of Ephesus, twin slave of Antipholus of Ephesus |
Calsey Langton |
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Nell |
Hayley Wilkens |
A Courtesan |
Rachel Geinert |
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Balthazar, a merchant |
Katie Strom |
Angelo, a goldsmith |
Ryan Thomas |
First Merchant, friend to Antipholus of Syracuse |
Chue Xiong |
Second Merchant |
Tacye Pearson |
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Dr. Pinch, an exorcist |
Samantha Saunders |
An Officer |
Thomas Randall-Neppl |
A Gaoler (Jailer) |
D.J. Myers |
Officers & Stevedores |
Tanya Birklid |
