For some while, this reviewer didn't consider 'The Comedy of Errors', one of his earliest and shortest plays, one of Shakespeare's best or even one of the best of his comedies. While still thinking that, with other comedies being more quotable and having more memorable characters, it has grown on me and the language strikes me as even cleverer and more moving the more productions seen. The mix of comedy and romance is also done very well indeed.
This Shakespeare Globe production is a triumph, one of the best productions of 'The Comedy of Errors' seen and one of the few that didn't have any issues. It was wonderful to see a production true in atmosphere and visual aesthetic to what would have been seen in Shakespeare's day, refreshing from seeing all these concept updated productions seen a lot in all theatre mediums, while also being very accessible to audiences new to Shakespeare or into the modern productions to see how it was all done. Which the production does brilliantly.
It is a great looking production, opulent but not too grand while also having grit. Creating a very authentic atmosphere that felt like being there, that is also enhanced in the intimate yet also expansive photography with the way the audience were reacting to what was going on. The sound also has a good deal of atmosphere.
Staging is always compelling and does a great job making the story coherent and not over complicated like it can be elsewhere. What's more, it is also tasteful, with it not ever feeling gratuitous or irrelevant, while also having its own identity and not being too faithful. The pre-show scene was a lot of fun to watch and an inventive touch, in perfect keeping with the atmosphere, and the fight choreography is full of brio and skill. What could have easily been silly, like with the octopus, was actually enormous fun to watch and very energetic.
Balance of comedy and romance is seamless, and both elements are done beautifully individually. Particularly the comedy, which is nothing less than very funny all the way through, and the romance has a lot of charm. The acting is without issues either all round, and this is one of the few productions of 'The Comedy of Errors' in my view where both twin pairings are actually believable as twins.
Concluding, brilliant. 10/10.
