Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors comes to Powederham Castle

Gloucestershire’s acclaimed Festival Players are taking an all-male tour of William Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors across the UK and into Europe this summer. The tour will head to Devon on Thursday, August 21st to the picturesque setting of Exeter’s 14th century Powderham Castle.

In Shakespeare’s 450th birthday year, The Players mainly alfresco tour will see them step on stage for some 40 performances of the play, directed by Minack Theatre’s former artistic director, Michael Dyer. It tells of a master and his servant arriving in a foreign port which, unbeknown to them, is the home of their long-lost twin brothers. Mayhem ensues in a riotous train of mistaken identity, seduction and pursuit, awash with puns and slapstick.

To add to the mayhem, a small cast of seven will be punching above their weight, playing multiple roles demanding quick costume changes, as well as performing as musicians.

It will be Dyer’s tenth all-male production in a row for the Players.
“It is of course totally authentic,” he says. “we are following in the footsteps of Shakespeare’s own Globe Theatre when all roles were taken by men. The Players have built a reputation for strong, all-male shows over the past decade.”

Music has been specially written for The Comedy of Errors by folk star Johnny Coppin (front man of the cult Seventies folk-rock group Decameron), adding a special ingredient with his original songs and instrumentals involving all the cast. Johnny has also just released a long awaited new studio album entitled Borderlands.

Advance tickets for the 7pm performance at Powderham, Castle are available on (01626) 890243, priced at £12 for adults, and £10 for concessions. Tickets on the night will be £14 for adults and £12 for concessions. The grounds will open at 6pm for picnics. The performance will take place in the castle courtyard and audience members should bring their own seating. www.powderham.co.uk

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