Written by William Shakespeare
Melbourne Maskworks
At Northcote Amphitheatre from approx 14 Jan 1995
Reviewer: Kate Herbert on or around 14 Jan 1995
This review published in Jan 1995 in The Melbourne Times (or maybe it was the Herald Sun? II don’t have the details anymore.) KH
The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare employs that cutesy comic device of mistaken identity. Of course, it is always a tall order to find two sets of identical twins, so Melbourne Maskworks have creatively solved the problem with identical masks.
This may not be Shakespeare's best comedy, but it provides plenty of scope for adaptation. In addition to its simple set (Ian McLay) and colourful costumes (Naomi Szakacs) and superbly crafted leather masks (Sylvia Rech), Maskworks' production has the advantage of the exotic natural setting of the Northcote Amphitheatre with its great acoustics, natural lighting effects at dusk, a view of the Yarra, kookaburras and a passing parade of sticky-beaks walking their dogs.
Some clever and charming slapstick routines in the style of the Italian Commedia del'Arte are the highlights of the show directed by Peter O'Donohue. In fact, the production could have been enhanced by editing some of the longer wordier speeches and focussing on the more physical aspects. There are some delightful mumming routines running parallel to dialogue which liven it up.
A few visual gags and character mannerisms are filched directly from The Three Stooges and other clowns. Some are over-used and become repetitive. Live music by Anne McCue is a bonus and there are some lively and very funny characterisations from Russell Fletcher, Trevor Major and Jules Hutchenson.
This may not be high art but it is a pleasant and entertaining night out and you can sip champagne as you watch.
KATE HERBERT
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