A Comedy of Errors
RSC KICKS OFF NATIONAL TOUR OF THE COMEDY OF ERRORS AT THE LOWRY, SALFORD IN OCTOBER
PRODUCTION FEATURES BOLTON BORN IAIN McKEE AS DROMIO OF SYRACUSE AND REAL LIFE BROTHERS JASON MERRELLS & SIMON MERRELLS PLAY TWINS
Fri 19 – Sat 27 October 2007
Regional and National Press Night: Tuesday 23 October, 7.30pm
The Comedy of Errors
Directed by Nancy Meckler
Designed by Katrina Lindsay
The Royal Shakespeare Company returns to The Lowry, Salford this October with Shakespeare’s hilarious The Comedy of Errors, which runs between Friday 19 – Saturday 27 October. The Lowry will be the first stop in a seven date UK tour.
A story of mistaken identity and lost family members, The Comedy of Errors is one of Shakespeare’s earliest, most accessible and funniest plays. It centres on two pairs of twins called Antipholus and Dromio, and the assorted mix ups, romances and farce that come with a classic Shakespeare tale.
Iain McKee, who was born in nearby Bolton and has lived in Salford, makes his RSC debut as Dromio of Syracuse, one half of a pair of twin servants. Iain’s TV credits include: the Victoria Wood drama, Housewife 49, New Street Law, The Somme and the comedy series, The Visit. Theatre work includes: Almost Blue (Riverside Studios), Under The Whaleback (Royal Court Theatre) and Masterclass (Bath Theatre Royal).
Also making his RSC debut as Iain’s twin brother, Dromio of Ephesus, is Chris New. Chris, a graduate from RADA, has appeared in The Reporter (National Theatre), and played the role of Horst to great acclaim alongside Alan Cumming in Bent at the Trafalgar Studios.
The cast also features real life brothers Jason Merrells and Simon Merrells, respectively taking on the roles of twin brothers, Antipholus of Syracuse and Antipholus of Ephesus.
Jason will be familiar to TV audiences through his roles in Waterloo Road, Cutting It, Clocking Off and Queer As Folk. These series were all filmed in Manchester, where Jason has worked every year for the last seven years. Jason’s theatre credits include The Long, The Short and The Tall (Sheffield Theatres) and The Pleasureman (Glasgow Citizens).
Simon‘s TV credits include: Family Affairs, London’s Burning and Merseybeat, whilst onstage he has appeared in The Life of Galileo and Sing Yer Hearts Out For The Lads at the National Theatre.
The production, which originally opened to both popular and critical acclaim in Stratford-upon-Avon in 2005, is directed by one of the country’s most respected directors, Nancy Meckler. As Artistic Director of Shared Experience her productions have included Anna Karenina, A Passage To India and Mother Courage. Her RSC credits include Romeo and Juliet and House of Desires. Nancy was the first woman to direct at the National Theatre.
Nancy Meckler said: “The Comedy of Errors is one of Shakespeare’s funniest plays, and a great introduction to his work. When the original production opened in Stratford back in 2005 I was delighted to find that it appealed to all ages. As well as enjoying the humour and spectacle of the show, people also found it very moving. I’m thrilled that it will now be touring the country.”
Siobhan Redmond makes a welcome return to the RSC as Adriana. For the RSC she has appeared in The Spanish Tragedy, and played Beatrice in Michael Boyd’s Much Ado About Nothing. Siobhan’s TV work includes The Smoking Room, Between The Lines and the cult comedy The High Life.
As part of the RSC’s policy to encourage theatre-going amongst young people, 50 tickets will be available to 16-25 year olds for each performance at only £5 per ticket. 25 tickets are available to purchase in advance, and 25 on the day. This offer will be limited to 2 tickets per person, and proof of identity will be required.
A captioned and audio described performance for theatre-goers with hearing and visual impairments will take place on Saturday 27 October at 2.30pm. A touch tour for blind patrons will take place on the same day at 1pm. This will be a tour around the set allowing the visually impaired patrons to touch props and costumes, and the various parts of the set and to get an idea of the dimensions of the stage.
The cast also features: Tobias Beer (Balthasar), Matt Blair (Messenger), Tom Davey (Angelo), Tim Chipping (Duke), James Clyde (Dr Pinch/Gaoler), Daniel Francis (2nd Merchant), Stewart W. Fraser (Puppeteer), Joanne Howarth (Courtesan), Annabel Leventon (Abbess), Olivia Llewellyn (Luciana), Ciaran McIntyre (Egeon), Barnaby Power (Arresting Officer), Kirris Riviere (First Merchant), Amy Rockson (Dr Pinch’s assistant) and Rachael Spence (Luce).
The set and costumes are designed by Katrina Lindsay, whose other credits include Cabaret (currently running in the West End), As You Like It (Sheffield Theatres), Market Boy (National Theatre) and Romeo and Juliet and House of Desires (RSC).
Lighting is by Tim Mitchell, Music by Ilona Sekacz, Sound by Andrea J Cox, Movement by Liz Ranken, Director of Puppetry is Mervyn Millar with Sarah Wright, and Chorus Work by Clive Mendus.
“The auditorium rings with spontaneous guffaws and bursts of applause….A joyous, life-affirming production” The Sunday Times
“A carnivalesque affair that is both hilarious and moving” The Observer “An occasion for brimming eyes as well as laughter, making the heart feel as full as the stage” Financial Times
Posted on Monday, 15 October 2007 under Press Theatre Press