Shakespeare Comedy Features Mistaken Identities and Twin Chaos
The University of Idaho Department of Theatre Arts will stage William Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors” beginning April 30, bringing the classic tale of mistaken identities and separated twins to the Hartung Theater stage in Moscow.
The production opens with a preview performance at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30, at the Hartung Theater, located at 675 Stadium Drive. Six additional performances will follow through May 10, including evening shows at 7:30 p.m. on May 1, 2, 8 and 9, and matinee performances at 2 p.m. on May 3 and 10.
The Shakespeare comedy follows Antipholus of Syracuse and his servant Dromio of Syracuse after a shipwreck tears them from their twin brothers years earlier. When the pair arrives in the city of Ephesus, they encounter locals who inexplicably recognize them. Unknown to the travelers, their long-lost twins reside in Ephesus, setting off a cascade of confusion and chaos through mistaken identities.
Student Cast Brings Classic Story to Life
Riley Duvall, a junior theatre arts student playing Antipholus of Ephesus, described the role as an opportunity for expressive performance. Duvall said his character must persuade those around him that he is neither intoxicated nor mentally unstable as family members recount false stories about his behavior.
Despite the play’s premiere over five centuries ago, Duvall noted the comedy maintains contemporary relevance for modern audiences.
Robert Caisley, chair of the Theatre Arts Department and head of the dramatic writing program, highlighted the production’s pedigree among Shakespeare’s comedic works. He cited Shakespearean scholar Harold Bloom, who regarded “The Comedy of Errors” as proof of the playwright’s comic genius and praised its structure, pace and celebration of human confusion.
Ticket Information and Accessibility
University of Idaho students may attend free of charge, while general public tickets range from $6 to $26. Tickets are available for purchase through uitickets.com.
The Theatre Arts Department produces multiple performances throughout the academic year. Additional information about upcoming productions is available at go.uidaho.edu/theatre-productions.
What Comes Next
The seven-performance run extends across two weekends, providing multiple opportunities for Moscow-area residents and university community members to attend. The production marks another offering in the Theatre Arts Department’s season of student and faculty performances at the Hartung Theater. Theatergoers seeking tickets for the later weekend performances should purchase in advance, as university theatre productions typically draw strong attendance from students and local theater enthusiasts.