If you’ve ever thought your day was chaotic, Intermission Youth’s The Comedy of Errors is here to assure you that things could be much, much worse. There’s nothing like a good old remix to bring something back with a bang and Darren Raymond’s version of Shakespeare’s most chaotic farce becomes a full-blown comedy triumph, powered by a cast whose collective energy could light the national grid.
Twins Antipholuses and Dromios – remixed to Anthony and Dominique are newly arrived asylum seekers in London and are completely unaware they have identical counterparts in the immediate vicinity . Speaking in Shakespeare’s lofty verse, they are immediately met with bafflement and suspicion, their every line greeted as if they’re speaking in riddles rather than English. Their deadpan reactions to increasingly ridiculous situations are a masterclass in “I cannot believe this is happening to me” acting. They bounce off each other like tightly wound springs—every entrance is a setup, every exit a punchline.
From the opening moments, the show sprints headfirst into confusion, mistaken identities, and twin-related mayhem. The double-act confusion is handled with remarkable clarity for such a young cast. The direction (Stephanie Badaru) embraces pure, joyful silliness, giving the audience permission to laugh early and often. Scenes escalate like a comedy snowball rolling downhill—picking up speed, jokes, props, and the occasional bewildered character along the way.
At its core, the chorus members gleefully add to the pandemonium. Whether they’re delivering Shakespearean insults with enthusiasm or storming the stage in dramatic panic, it all adds to the fun and that’s the key word here, fun – this production is ridiculously fun. A massive Afridiziak shoutout to the entire cast, because, each performer grabs their moment and runs with it—sometimes literally!
GO SEE IT! It’s Shakespeare without the stiffness, comedy without the cringe, and youth theatre without the training wheels. Intermission Youth clearly understands that the best way to tackle a farce is to play it fast, play it bold, and never apologize for the absurdity.
Need to know: Access 20 per cent off all tickets for all performances of Intermission Youth’s Comedy of Errors until the end of the run, Sat 20 Dec. Use code AFRIDIZIAK20
