6 reasons why you should see A Comedy of Errors (more or less) at Shakespeare North Playhouse

It might be called Comedy of Errors, but you’ll be making no mistake if you book tickets to see the latest production at the amazing Shakespeare North Playhouse.

Shakespeare North Playhouse has put its own twist on the Bard’s famous – and farcical – tale about separated family and mistaken identity, which means that even if you think Shakespeare isn’t always for you, this most definitely will be.

And if you need any more convincing why it’s worth watching, here are six very good reasons:

1. Shakespeare’s most bonkers farce is brought to life in the eighties

Chaos and confusion reign in this reimagined version of A Comedy of Errors, and you’ll be beside the seaside and beside yourself with laughter in this hilarious new take on William’s classic fun tale.

A Lancashire actor arrives in a Yorkshire coastal resort to perform his one man show…the only trouble being there’s no audience because everyone’s booked for a Talent Show across town starring the twin brother he’s never met. That’s the same twin brother who owes money all over town, has promised his wife a gold chain, and is banking on winning the talent show to avoid getting in trouble with some unsavoury characters. You keeping up?

2. The show is guaranteed to make you laugh

You’ve read the synopsis and you just know it’s all going to end in tears – of laughter. There’s nothing like a farce for basic, rib-tickingly daft humour and this is the brilliant work of William Shakespeare cleverly re-written to bring it back to life in the era when the curly perm was the height of hair sophistication and the mobile phone was the size of a house brick. 

It’s funnier than ever and when you know the cast – including two sets of real-life acting twins – is having a great time bringing this alive on the stage, you know you’ll have the best time too.

3. It’s in the spectacular Cockpit Theatre

And this is an incredible experience in itself. The traditional 470-seat timber framed ‘cockpit’ Shakespearean theatre is the only one of its kind outside London and can be configured ‘in the round’ so the audience surrounds the actors and gets close to performances – and it’s so-called because the original Cockpit Theatre was created for cockfighting.

4. Tickets start from only £3

There aren’t many theatre productions you can enjoy for just a few quid, so at a time when we’re all having to tighten our belts, this is a real Godsend. It means we still have the chance to get to see a live stage performance and have a great night out and a laugh when we need it most.

5. There’s some seriously good tunes!

The ‘80s were renowned for their incredible mix of music, from The Specials to Spandau Ballet, and U2, to Culture Club, Bowie and Bananarama. It was a decade when everything from belt-out rock ballads to poppy, playful tunes topped the charts, and some of the best of them are in this SNP production. Remember the soulful Life in a Northern Town by the Dream Academy, Billy Joel’s Uptown Girl, or what about Van Halen’s Jump? The soundtrack alone is worth the ticket price (we just wonder if there’s room for dancing in the aisle because you know you’re going to want to!). 

6. It’s suitable for young(ish) kids (10+)

Shakespeare North is all about being accessible, and the best thing is it offers theatre you can take the whole family to. This might not be one for the very young members of the family, but if you’ve got older kids you can bank on a bonding brill night out for all of you and, if you want, you could even make an event of it if you grab a bite to eat at the Playhouse’s great value café before.

The Comedy of Errors (more or less) is on now at Shakespeare North Playhouse until 25 March – get tickets here.