Review: THE COMEDY OF ERRORS & A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, Leatherhead Cricket Club - Scoot Theatre

Scoot Theatre are currently touring a delightful double-bill of two of Shakespeare’s best loved comedies, The Comedy of Errors and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, in just 60 minutes each!    

Scoot promise “confusion, chaos and costume changes” and certainly deliver. The first of the shows to be performed is The Comedy of Errors. In the opening minutes, the audience are introduced to the two sets of twins at the centre of the play, who are cleverly and carefully distinguished by subtle costume choices. For both plays, the cast wear cricket whites, with additional costume items to highlight their characters. This works to great effect and ties in well with the other nods to the cricket theme that seem to be a bit of a trademark for Scoot.  

The characters of Dromio are instant favourites, charmingly dim-witted and excellently played by Tricia Adele-Turner and Scarlet Wilderink. The well edited text leads us on a fast paced, chaotic journey through the play, while losing none of the key story points and keeping even the youngest audience members entranced by the on-stage antics. All six cast members contribute to the live music that is used to create comical sound effects and charmingly underscores some of the key moments in the play. The simple set and minimal use of props mean that the slightly frantic pace of the piece is not slowed, and this well directed version of Shakespeare’s shortest play is over all too soon- with a pleasant musical number performed by the talented cast. 

Some subtle changes to the set let us know that The Comedy of Errors is over and that A Midsummer Nights Dream is soon to begin. Midsummer is a longer text than The Comedy of Errors but once again the adaptation is excellent, taking us straight to the most important part of the story - the forest. Sam Law and Miles Henderson, as Demetrius and Lysander respectively, really shine in this performance and Simmie Kaur, who changes characters, accents and costumes with aplomb, brings a fantastic energy to the role of Puck. 

There are lots of laughs to be had throughout this whistle-stop version of MSND and many of these come from Darell Brockis, who plays a slightly roguish Oberon, and an absolutely hilarious Bottom. When paired with Tricia Adele-Turner’s besotted Titania, the unlikely love story gives the audience plenty to chuckle at. A nod must be made to the incredible energy of Tricia Adele-Turner and Scarlet Wilderink who, as in The Comedy of Errors, are a force to be reckoned with when paired together as Helena and Hermia. 

As with The Comedy of Errors, there are a few cricket jokes and references and more live music, which lends itself beautifully to both the play and the delightful (if not a little showery!) setting. Many of the venues on this tour are cricket clubs, providing a beautiful, green and natural backdrop to these wonderful adaptations. 

**** Four stars 

Reviewed by: Sarah Brown 

Both shows are touring until 5 September and at most venues, you can view them as a double bill. For dates and ticket information, please visit the Scoot Theatre website here.