RIOTOUS Shakespeare play The Comedy of Errors is being staged at King’s Ely in June.
The Lord Chamberlain’s Men are bringing the hugely popular open-air production to the picturesque gardens of King’s Ely’s Old Palace on the evening of Wednesday, June 7th – and tickets are selling fast!
The Comedy of Errors follows two pairs of identical twins, Antipholus of Syracuse and Antipholus of Ephesus, and their servants, both named Dromio. When they were babies, the twins and their parents were separated in a shipwreck; now, years later, as one half of the twins search for the other they unwittingly find themselves in the same city on the same day and chaos ensues.
Founded in 2004, The Lord Chamberlain’s Men Theatre Company is the modern incarnation of Shakespeare’s original troupe of the same name. Performing with an all-male cast, they aim to revive the traditions of Elizabethan theatre and to bring to life the greatest works of drama, as they would first have been performed.
Peter Stickney, who took over the company as Artistic Director and owner last year, said: “In my first full year leading the company we bring you something new. The Lord Chamberlain’s Men has never performed The Comedy of Errors before, and I can’t wait! This hilarious summer comedy is a complete joy, but with Shakespeare it’s never that simple. He elevates what could just be a story of mistaken identity to new levels with questions about relationships, family and personal identity so that alongside the confusing and hilarious circumstances, the characters are dealing with bigger questions of love and loss before, ultimately, redemption. I can’t think of anything more perfect for a summer’s evening than a classical retelling of this great play set against the background of some of the nation’s most beautiful outdoor venues.”
The show is being premiered at the Brighton Festival. The company will then perform at another prestigious festival, the Ageas Salisbury International Arts Festival, before heading off around the UK throughout the summer to the most historically important and visually stunning castles, cathedrals and stately homes, finishing their tour in mainland Europe in September.
The production at King’s Ely’s Old Palace is at 7.30pm and tickets are £15 for adults and £10 for children. For tickets, please call the King’s Ely Box Office on (01353) 653931 or visit www.kingsely.org/news-events/box-office/.