Shakespeare Schools Festival
MALAWI

This farcical comedy sees two sets of twins caught up in a series of mistaken identities that lead them into hilarious trouble. The play evolves with Antipholus of Ephesus being barred from his own house while Antipholus of Syracuse unwillingly dines inside with his wife. More conflict develops when a chain commissioned by Antipholus of Syracuse is delivered to the other Antipholus. The merchants chase down the twins while it all comes to a head as the twins are revealed to each other. The errors of the play are untangled as they work out what has happened for a final resolution and reunion.

The choices for costume and design were made to assist the audience in untangling the confusion of characters. The Antipholuses and Dromios were matched in chitenje accents on their costumes. This made it easy to see when an Antipholus was speaking to the wrong Dromio. The same was done with the two sisters, Adriana and Luciana, by linking their wrap skirts with the appropriate twin. The merchants were kept simple in chitenje waistcoats while the additional characters were explored with more unique features to allow them to command more space within the play.

To travel to Cape Town and the Fugard Theatre with this play was a truly incredible experience. I could not have asked for a better group of young thespians to work with and they represented the Academy and Malawi proudly. We all hope that this was the first of many such opportunities.