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SCMP Reporter

WHILE traditionalists dismiss the Royal Shakespeare Company's (RSC) version of The Comedy of Errors as ''not really Shakespeare'', it has nevertheless won three Olivier Awards.

  In 1992, the production captured the Best Comic Actor award for Desmond Barrit as well as Best Set and Best Costumes.

  For those who associate Shakespeare with torturous school exams and intimidating actors who roll their r's, this performance should be a treat. The production is avant-garde.

  It takes full advantage of the most farcical elements of the story, which centres on two set of twins, both with the same names.

  Even without the RSC's modern interpretation, the plot is enough to make the most hardened Shakespearean sceptic smile.

  One set of twins is born to Aegeon, a merchant of Syracuse. The man names them both Antipholus.

  He then purchases another set of twins, each called Dromio, to be their servants.

  When they take a trip, a violent storm hits the ship, leaving Aegeon trying to save his family. He is able to rescue only one of each set of twins.

  Thirty years later, Aegeon travels to Ephesus, while Antipholus and Dromio arrive in search of their long-lost brothers. The lost twins are living in that city.

  With nine doors slamming at an alarming rate and lost and found twins running in and out, the stage is set for a dramatic performance Hongkong audiences are not likely to forget.

 Barrit, who plays Antipholus of Syracuse/Ephesus, said the heightened drama of the set did not make for a side-splitting show.

  However, he said that one Spanish audience in Madrid had ''fallen about laughing''.

  The costumes were inspired by Magritte and Dali and designed by Mark Thompson, who combined bold colours, strong shapes and a surreal design. His innovative set follows suit.

  It is not without reason that the production has received such high accolades.

  Directed by Ian Judge, it stars Estelle Kohler as Adriana, Neil Caple as the twins Dromio of Syracuse/Ephesus, Basil Hoskins as Aegeon, and David Killick as Solinus/Pinch.

  All have worked extensively in the RSC and outside in other mediums.

  Kohler, an associate actor with the RSC, has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to play a comic role.

  While much harder to play than tragedy, getting laughs out of an audience can become quite addictive.

  She likened playing comedy at the RSC to attending a party night after night due to the enthusiasm from those involved.

  Responsible for much of the comedy, Barrit and Caple have captured the essence of playing twins separated at birth, each with different goals and personalities and circumstances surrounding their lives.

  Barrit refused to reveal how all four twins managed to end up reunited on stage when only two actors play them.

  Instead, he invited the audience to come and take part in a play that he termed about ''madness'' and ''everyone playing their own reality''.

The Royal Shakespeare Company's The Comedy of Errors will be performed at the Academy Lyric Theatre from February 5 to 9 and at the Hongkong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre on February 10.



Surreal production wins over sceptics