The Comedy of Errors features not one but two sets of identical twins who,if they don’t recognize alike, must at least act the portion. The National Theatres Wendy Spon explains the challenge of finding the lawful actors for Shakespeare’s playsCasting Shakespeare is a complex trade. Casting directors work with the play’s director, and trying to get inside their head as they get to grips with the play. Some directors have a very clear conception of what they’re after,or have a particular actor in mind – you’re not going to do Hamlet without knowing who your Hamlet is, the same with King Lear. But other directors might be more open to ideas and want us in the casting department to aid prompt them. Youre trying to respond to what their concept is, and accomplish it advance alive.
With The Comedy of Errors,obviously that gets a bit more complicated. Shakespeare has a thing approximately twins, most obviously in Twelfth Night, or but in Errors the conception is ramped up so it’s nearly deliberately crazy: two sets of identical twins,two of whom are masters (both called Antipholus), the others servants (both called Dromio). The two pairs get separated, and then everyone ends up in the same spot and they are all continually mistaken for one other. I’ve lost count of how many times Ive seen the play since I became a casting director,and I do think its better when the twins recognize alike. Of course it’s a willing suspension of disbelief, but Shakespeare is asking the audience to believe they are twins, and if you manage it,that increases the audience’s enjoyment. Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com