A Cross-Curricular Celebration: The Comedy of Errors
If you’re looking for a great introduction to Shakesepearean performance, including some cross-curricular opportunities, The Comedy of Errors (cutting and notes by John Minigan from the original by Shakespeare) should be part of your classroom. With this adaptation, each page has a sidebar with word translations, acting tips, and character suggestions.
Two sets of twins, separated at birth, end up in the same town. A comedy of errors and mistaken identity ensues.
“I gave you the money! You promised me a chain. Why did you lock me out? You ate dinner at home. Where’s my money? Where’s my chain? Demons and ghosts surround us!”
A great combination of Shakespeare, physical action, and slapstick humour.
The drama students at Centennial Middle School in Montrose, CO had a great introduction to Shakespeare with their performance of The Comedy of Errors. Drama teacher Jamie Gann was thrilled to share their success and even offered up some tips to help people with future productions:
This one-act adaptation was the perfect fit for my middle school students doing a Shakespeare play for the first time. My cast included 6th, 7th, and 8th graders and the show was a tremendous success.
TIP: Your Syracuse twins need to be your strongest actors in this adaptation, they have by far the most demanding amount of lines and action.
Congratulations, Centennial Middle School!
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A selection of 10 Shakespeare perusal scripts. Whether it's a cutting that uses the original text, a monologue or scene book, or a parody that spoofs the story, these plays offer a great window into Shakespeare's world.
