U of I Theatre Arts Department to present Shakespeare’s ‘The Comedy of Errors’ starting April 30

MOSCOW, Idaho — The University of Idaho Department of Theatre Arts presents “The Comedy of Errors” by William Shakespeare, a hilarious play about long-lost twins, mistaken identities and double trouble. There will be seven shows, starting with a preview night at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30. All shows take place at the Hartung Theater, 675 Stadium Drive, Moscow.

Additional performances include:

• 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 1
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2
• 2 p.m. Sunday, May 3
• 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 8
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 9
• 2 p.m. Sunday, May 10

After a shipwreck separates them from their twins, Antipholus of Syracuse and his servant Dromio of Syracuse go to the city of Ephesus and are confused when locals seem to recognize them. Unbeknownst to the two Syracusans, their twins live in Ephesus. Havoc ensues through a chaotic series of incidents.

“Getting to play Antipholus of Ephesus has given me the wonderful opportunity to be expressive and larger than life,” said Riley Duvall, a junior theatre arts student. “Antipholus of Ephesus must convince the people around him that he is not drunk, crazy or possessed — which is a response I find to be the most reasonable after his family begins to tell stories about him that are not true.”

Duvall said “The Comedy of Errors” continues to be relevant, despite premiering over 500 years ago. Robert Caisley, chair of the Theatre Arts Department and head of the dramatic writing program, said the play is celebrated as one of Shakespeare’s best comedic works.

“The preeminent Shakespearean scholar Harold Bloom saw ‘The Comedy of Errors’ as Shakespeare’s first great proof of comic brilliance,” Caisley said. “He called it a perfect early play, dazzling in its structure, speed and sheer delight in human confusion. You won't want to miss this comedy, which runs like clockwork and is full of mistaken identities, escalating chaos and joyous laughter.”

Tickets are free for U of I students and $6 to $26 for the public and are on sale now at uitickets.com.

For information about other upcoming events from the Department of Theatre Arts, visit go.uidaho.edu/theatre-productions.

Media contact

Alisa Volz
Communications Strategist
Department of Theatre Arts and Lionel Hampton School of Music
208-885-6465
avolz@uidaho.edu