The company in The Comedy of Errors at Shakespeare's Globe c. Marc Brenner
By Tim Saunders
At Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in New Globe Walk beside the River Thames we’re treated to The Comedy of Errors, one of his shortest plays at just under two hours long without an interval. It’s a fabulous experience. Firstly, we’re given cushions to sit on the seats, which we learn are vital as the performance passes the hour mark. The original theatre was destroyed but this version, reconstructed in 1997, has a thatched roof that is partly open above the stage. This is a great idea for summer performances allowing plenty of light onto the stage but does cause issues when it gets very hot for the groundlings (the Globe’s standing audience members, who can enjoy a performance at a discounted rate). It is a very hot day and at least one groundling collapses due to the heat. I can only imagine how challenging it must be for those on stage in all their finery. It’s a perfect setting for Shakespeare’s plays. Throughout the performance we’re treated to music of the time on traditional wind instruments. The production itself features no scene changes. A large boat that is wheeled on periodically helps to hold the children’s attention. This play is a humorous take on the mistaken identity of twin brothers who are reunited at the end. The children have been studying Shakespeare and Harriett is chuckling away at various points. Shakespeare’s use of rhyme is another interesting tool for holding the audience’s attention.
