We discover what critics have had to say about Naeem Hayat and Sean Holmes’ production.
Broadway World: **** “Less sensical than some of his other work, The Comedy of Errors requires audiences to lean into the madness of what is transpiring on stage. Fortunately, this is easy to do in this delightful, pacy production skillfully directed by Naeem Hayat and Sean Holmes.”
London Theatre.co.uk: **** “With no interval, Holmes and Hayat’s pacy direction keeps the momentum going, sometimes verging into hysteria. As we come to the conclusion, there is a distinct change to the tempo, with Anita Reynolds’ humorous Abbess suddenly hinting at something more poignant and real.”
Everything Theatre.co.uk: **** “As well as being very entertaining and uplifting, the darker themes of the play resonate and speak to us today. Families are still being separated by extremist regimes. Egeon is going to be executed just for being present in Ephesus. His family were on a boat that was shipwrecked and he was on a lifetime’s quest to find his son and his wife. There’s very little new in the world that Shakespeare hasn’t warned us about, but sometimes we all need to escape for an evening of fun and frolics and keep the reflection for the next day.”
The Upcoming: **** “Perhaps the most physical of Shakespeare’s comedies, The Comedy of Errors derives much of its humour from slapstick scenarios: characters are attacked, locked out of their homes and confronted by irate spouses. The farce’s physical comedy is amplified by the exaggerated nature of these situations, with the beatings of Dromio by both Antipholus twins being particularly memorable. The comic effect is further heightened by the audible impact of these dramatic thrashings, with the slapping sounds echoing through the theatre for an especially vivid and uproarious episode. The combination of physical exaggeration and audible effects adds to its energetic and farcical spirit, immersing the crowd in the chaos without relying on modern enhancements such as stage lighting or sound systems.”
All That Dazzles: ***** “There is a question posed by Antipholus of Syracuse which may be familiar to theatregoers – “Am I in Earth, in Heaven, or in Hell”? I am sure that many theatregoers will have had a trip to the theatre that they can liken to each. In this instance, this production of The Comedy of Errors is a heavenly experience. It is not Shakespeare’s cleverest piece of writing, but when taken on the surface for the playful farce that it is then it is still an enjoyable one.”
West End Best Friend: **** “Hayat and Holmes have crafted an entertaining romp to close out the summer Globe season. Their direction keeps the energy high and the laughs coming, while still allowing for moments of genuine emotion amidst the chaos. The pacing is generally spot-on, though there are occasional inconsistencies between the more tender moments and the raucous scenes. These slight dips in energy are quickly recovered, however, and do little to detract from the overall enjoyment of the piece.”
The Reviews Hub: **** “One trap that unsuccessful productions of The Comedy of Errors fall into is to go overboard on the comedy and slapstick to make the entire enterprise a non-stop gag fest. That pitfall is joyously avoided here, ensuring that all the humour has a firm foundation. Perhaps the relentless pace skips over some of Shakespeare’s fun dialogue, but the briskness of a performance that comes in at under two hours without an interval ensures that the Globe’s returning production is an immensely comical success.”
A Young(ish) Perspective: **** “The directors’ choice to keep the pace alert, with no interval, ensures the energy levels never go down, though this frenetic style can sometimes border on hysteria. It sometimes risks overshadowing Shakespeare’s language. On several occasions, the actors break the fourth wall, acknowledging the audience directly. These moments were cleverly integrated and added to the communal atmosphere of the performance, reminding us that in Shakespeare’s time, the Globe was as much a social gathering as it was a theatrical event.”
London Theatre 1: **** “I thoroughly enjoyed this Shakespeare Globe production of The Comedy of Errors as, judging by the spontaneous reaction of the audience at the curtain call, did the audience. Going to this theatre is always an “experience” as it should be, and I am glad to be able to recommend it highly – but it is worth bringing or hiring a cushion!”
Theatre & Tonic: **** “The production whips along with a feeling that the wheels are about to come off but never quite do because the actors master the complexities of the plot and farce that instils confidence and allows us to come along for the ride. “
The Comedy of Errors continues to play at the Shakespeare’s Globe until the 27th October.