Comedy of Errors

Yet another excellent performance by the Portland Actors Ensemble. We attended this play at Reed College.

Self portrait. In that program in front of Matt's mouth you can read a short synopsis, which I will make even shorter. A family--husband, wife, twin sons, twin servants--were separated tragically 25 years ago in a shipwreck. Since that time, father, son and servant, Aegeon, Antipholus and Dromio of Ephesus, have searched for the mother and twin brothers. Upon landing in Syracuse Aegeon is arrested, as no one from Syracuse is allowed in Ephesus. Will Aegeon be put to death? And why do people keep saying strange things to Antipholus and Dromio?

Aside from the excellent acting, I was enchanted with the Edwardian bathing costumes. Here, Lindsay Fischer (Luciana) and Margaret Darling (Adriana)--rock their pink and yellow costumes.

Sam Burns (Antipholus of Ephesus) and R. David Wyllie (Dromio of Syracuse) have a confused interaction. Wouldn't their costumes make great pajamas?

Victoria Blake is resplendent in her Courtezan costume.

Jon Lakey (Antipholus of Syracuse) and Gildevin Jagudajev (Dromio of Ephesus) talk past each other. At this point Antipholus is about to be taken away by the Doctor/Conjurer.

Just like in King Henry IV part I, one audience member wanted to see things from back stage.

The Abbess (Christine Shields) forgoes a bathing costume but does shelter one half of the embattled Anthpholus and Dromio.

Confusion reigns.

Things begin to seem clear.

Aegeon and the Abbess realize that they are husband and wife.

Which must mean that...

...these are the twin brothers! And these are the other twin brothers. The family is reunited.

We are already looking forward to the 2011 season of PAE. The Tempest and Much Ado about Nothing are on our list of things to read.

Now I just have to figure out where I can wear an Edwardian bathing costume. Then I have to make one.