Comedy of Errors review, Hampstead Theatre

A twin Propeller at Hampstead

Imagine an idyllic beach scene suddenly broken up by the appearance of Speedy Gonzales hotfooting it across the sands pursued by bandits, donkeys, old ladies with sticks, a tricycle rickshaw and an African Chieftain and you're probably close to what goes on in Edward Hall's head: exploding stars of possibility.  That's the only explanation for his random, anarchic, take on Shakespeare.

The Comedy of Errors, is Propeller Theatre Company's second all-male sell-out in the main house at Hampstead where Hall is Artistic Director. The action starts and is attended by an authentically unaccomplished-but-fun Mariachi band. Why Mexicans in Syracuse is never explained. Their plinky-plonking accompanies a technicolour blur of violently biff-boff-ooh-ah-ping tabloid style recrimination and exclamation in this classic tale of mistaken identity - separated twins unknowingly turning up in the same place at the same time with resultant mayhem.

This is not a reinterpretation of Shakespeare, it's a reupholstering. My teen companions and the little boys alongside laughed with the afficianados at the blurring of the Bard across time, cultures and imprint. It will be hard to forget the pastor running naked through the audience with a sparkler alight in his bottom. And the fighting wheelie bins. And the Latino policeman singing The Girl From Ipanema. And the description of the spherical kitchen maid...

In conclusion: A real hoot, even as you're despairing of a silly plot rendered silly-beyond-redemption. The choreography is a lesson in staging. The timing of the fights, the pitfalls and pratfalls is sublime. A technical and physical tour de force planned and executed expertly.

References
Comedy of Errors synopsis
Interview with Edward Hall about Propeller Theatre Company
Maxwell Couter review in What's On Stage


Hampstead Theatre is on Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, London NW3 3EU. This production is now closed.