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Michael Cox reviews this year's Bard in the Botanics' opening production.
Let’s be honest: The Comedy of Errors is not Shakespeare at his best. The story is ridiculous, the characters shallow, the poetry mostly forgettable and the plot device of two sets of twins constantly being mistaken for the other can get monotonous.
So, why do companies choose it over better-written comedies? Perhaps it comes down to creative license: when the plot and characters are this thin, one can get away with doing whatever they please.
Bard in the Botanics’ production is no different. Director Gordon Barr has taken liberties by throwing Scottish stereotypes and the referendum into a mix with an energy akin to a Looney Tunes cartoon, resulting in a production that’s over the top and willing to do just about anything for a laugh.
And it works…for the most part. As with most productions from the company, command for the language varies. However, the cast’s commitment to the farcical staging is consistent and the jokes, gags, pratfalls and musical numbers work more often than not. It may not be Shakespeare (or this company’s work) at it’s best, but its worth the night out, rain and midges be damned.
The Comedy of Errors performs at the Botanic Gardens in Glasgow until July 12.
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