schedule
Bedlam Theatre
Comedy of Errors
Thu., Jul. 30 @ 7:00 p.m.
Fri., Jul. 31 @ 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 1 @ 7:00 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 2 @ 7:00 p.m.
Thu., Aug. 6 @ 7:00 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 7 @ 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 8 @ 7:00 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 9 @ 7:00 p.m.
Venue Bedlam Theatre - Parking Lot
Written by William Shakespeare
Web site www.bedlamtheatre.org
genres Comedy
Overall rating
User reviews
Shake speared
by Larry Meuwissen Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Abbreviated version, but tells the whole story.
Excellent command of the poetry of the language by every single actor. I lost my program, but both Drummios were very good and the physically smaller of the two stole the show, and should be considered when the Guthrie, Park Square or other local stge needs a talented "clown." One of the best I saw this season.
Bedlam's Bard
by Don Shuler Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
An hour feels about right for this, one of Shakespeare's silliest comedies. Ballwebber's direction creates a circus atmosphere while maintaining a definite sense of focus and magic. And the performances in this show are delightfully large and fit nicely in the outdoor setting. Standout performances include Carly Wicks, Melissa Birch, Samantha Johns, Elise Langer, Maren Ward, and Jon Cole.
Bedlam at the Bedlam
by Jesse Corder Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This is a wonderful cut of the original script that kept the story flowing from beginning to end without much confusion (for the audience at least). Playing to the audience, the cast wonderfully pulls of the comedia/learned comedy style of this Elizabethan Plautus and Terence knock off and makes the whole damn thing so enjoyable.
Bedlam + Shakespeare = must-see
by Dave Stagner Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Want to produce a GREAT Fringe show? Start with a time-proven script and play it well. Bedlam takes Shakespeare's comedy, compresses it into 50 minutes (a GOOD thing imho), and plays it as a clown show, with madcap zany energy all the way through. You'll hardly get to pause to catch your breath from the last gale of laughter before some new conundrum, prop, or clowning tic sends you howling again! And a special shout-out to the two Dromios, the most overtly clownish of the characters, who both play their lines more with gesture and expression than dialog. Excellent costuming makes it easy to nudge nudge wink wink the audience, in on the joke from the beginning, even if you might find iambic pentameter at auctioneer's pace a bit hard to follow sometimes. Accessible and hysterical, this is the kind of Shakespeare anyone can like!
Shakespeare's Fringe Show
by Justin Alexander Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
If Shakespeare were writing a Fringe show, Comedy of Errors is probably the play he'd: A single idea developed with endless, largely nonsensical riffs.
So Bedlam's abbreviated 50 minutes production feels just about perfect. They utilize their outdoor space in numerous, clever ways and keep the material feeling lively and fresh through.
It is very, very funny (which is probably the important bit). And very, very fun (in the way that only good outdoor theater can be).
Shakespeare. Outside. Bedlam.
by Dave Romm Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
What more do you need to know? Good costume design helps us keep track of the characters. A Shockwave Radio Theater Review.
Longer reviews with pictures at Baron Dave's LiveJournal and snarky comments on Facebook.
Bravo
by bob ward Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Shakespeare in the parking lot? At Bedlam? In one hour? The answer is an enthusiastic "yes." Bedlam's production of Comedy of Errors, thanks to an outstanding adaptation by Director Jason Ballweber, preserves the language and concentrates on the storyline of the title. Two sets of identical twins create "bedlam" in this fast-paced and well-cast production with too many good performances to name. I longed for a plot summary in the program the first time I saw it, but the second time I just sat back and enjoyed. This romp in the parking lot reminded me why the groundlings loved Shakespeare.
Oh, the Foibles of Identical Twins
by Courtney McLean Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
A Shakespeare show in an hour? Bedlam, under the fantastic direction of Jason Ballweber, pulls it off pretty masterfully. My favorites were the spunky and hilarious Elise Langer (I might be a little biased) as one of the Dromeos; Jon Cole, who's face was made to be on stage or in movies; and I think Carly Wicks? The Jailor? If it was she that lead the group of cloaks, she was amazing. I was almost uncomfortable watching her become possessed by I-don't-know-what, but it was freakin' fantastic! The entire cast did a good job, though I must admit I wanted more levels in their speech. I know the show is outside, but I felt I had to pick apart the words with my ear rather than allowing the intonation guide me. Though this could totally be because my Shakespeare experience is pretty limited. Recommended, for sure.
Memorable
by Cody Stewart Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
8-1-09 @ 7:00pm
Bedlam Parking Lot
Shakespeare in true Bedlam style. The show made great use of space outdoors and elsewhere -with the exception that the stage was too long and the audience had to fight to hear over several jets above. The transitions in this abridged production were ingeneous. I loved the fact that the sets of twins were completely different -we were able to suspend our disbelief as an audience. Even though such a huge space was utilized (I'd be hesitant to say a stage here, more like a Shakespearean ecosystem) the actors added idiosyncracies and made each character their own. I rate this production a 3 out of 5.
Lots of Mixed Up Fun
by Andy Flamm Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
I had a great time at this performance despite being unfamiliar with the material. The actors, and there are a lot of them, do a wonderful job, especially given the somewhat difficult environment. It was occasionally difficult to hear certain actors, but not overly so. I would certainly recommend it.
Bedlam at It's Best
by Tim Voss Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Madcap is the word. Actors pop up from anyplace. The costumes are wonderfully absurd. The acting is over the top. Bedlam has captured the essence of the play and everybody has one hell of a lot of fun in the process. This was the best show of the evening and is one show I'll see again. Do not miss.
Go See? Weather permitting, sure.
by Nick Decker Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
I was initially skeptical of the gimmick "Shakespeare in the Parking Lot," and the performance felt rushed, yet both aspects gave the show a charming appeal.
Director Jason Ballweber successfully creates a "garbage-chic" atmosphere to match the Bedlam's parking lot, and makes excellent use of the challenging performance space. I didn't mind watching the cast trip over iambic pentameter at 80 kph, as they clearly conveyed the emotions of their roles in an over-the-top fashion befitting the show's set.
Wonderful
by Valerie Rigsbee Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I love Bedlam - they are quirky and crazy and always seem to have a wonderful time. Occasionally I've found that their productions can get a bit unfocused because they're having so much fun, but this extreme cutting of Comedy of Errors to 50 minutes was perfect. The Bedlam spirit and quick pacing of this production made it one of the better shows I've seen at this year's Fringe. Well worth chancing a downpour for.
Wish I could have heard all the lines
by Melissa Beukema Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
This was a great show - both sets of twins were terrific in their mannerisms, facial expressions, and physical movements. The supporting cast was strong and engaging.
I am torn on the venue. On the one hand I love bringing it outside and that some of the neighborhood residents were able to catch bits and pieces as they walked by (making it all the more accessible on multiple levels). However, between the light rail, car traffic, wind, etc. I had a hard time hearing when the actors were nearer to the other side of the audience.
Overall, a good show for all ages.
Absolutely.
by Joe Song Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Yep.
Great staging, great actors
by Michael Wade Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
The show is very entertaining and has lots of great physical bits. Unlike most productions of Shakespeare, the story was less about showing how well they can speak poetry than it was about telling an interesting story in an interesting way. Definitely worth checking out.
Fun and inventive!
by Danielle Siver Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I really enjoyed this adaptation! I understood everything everyone said and absolutely loved how much fun they were having. I would definitely recommend this to Shakespeare novices and the more experienced alike.
Delightful and Accessible
by Anthony Rydberg Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
What I liked most about "Comedy of Errors" is that loving Shakespeare is not a prerequisite to enjoying the show (full disclosure: I DO love Shakespeare). "Comedy of Errors" delivers enough madcap comedy to keep you engaged and uses just the right amount of narrative conventions to guide you through the story without needing an annotated copy of the script. The location was a blessing and a challenge (the planes occasionally drowned out the voices), but overall the use of the Bedlam parking lot added more than it took away. If you're looking to give Shakespeare a chance, "Comedy of Errors" will reward you!
Wonderful staging
by Sarah Holmberg Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
I really enjoy the atmosphere that Bedlam creates with this show, really embracing the reality of the space with lots of people walking by and kids from the neighborhood on their bikes coming in for a look. Having the cast mingle with each other in the space around the audience during the preshow really sets the mood in a wonderful way.
I particularly enjoyed the performances of both Dromios, and thought the handling of the twins was well done. The priority needs to be talent over resemblance to another actor, and they clearly had their priorities straight.
I was able to hear everyone just fine, except possibly for a few particularly loud planes went by. I wasn't finding the humor as much as others were, but I'm not sure if it's from my unfamiliarity with the script, or if the cuts weren't holding together, or if some of the understanding wasn't being conveyed. Still, I enjoyed a great deal of it.
Comdy of Errors
by Christa Beverlin Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Too many airplanes but that wasnt a part of the show. This show done in the parking lot and i have to say the use of this space was fantastic. the actors use a bunch of different spaces. the show is done in exact shakespear language which was exciting to watch. the director did a spectacular job of using actors facial expressions and manerisms to add to the comedy. this show was great and a must see.
i rated this show a 4
A Must See
by Kathleen Johnson Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
True to the spirit of the Globe and the spirit of Shakespearian comedy - Huzzah! And to Melissa Birch as Dr. Pinch - Well Done!
hilarity
by sonya berlovitz Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
A well cast show directed with inventiveness by Four Humors Jason Ballweber.
Shakespeare on Steeroids--Hilarious
by William Beeman Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Comedy of Errors is my favorite Shakespeare Comedy. It is hard to bring off unless one understands that it is a zany farce. The Bedlam Theater presented a total tour de force. Jerzy Grotowski would have been proud of them. In a parking lot amidst a pile of junk and a loading dock with no lighting and minimal props, they managed to bring this play to its hilarious manic fulfillment. The acoustics were challenging, with the light rail and traffic in the background, but every performer delivered their machine-gun dialog with perfect diction and wonderful projection, while managing to be funny, funny, funny. (It is so, so refreshing to see performers who actually know how to use their voices). So, there are two pairs of male twins. Well, this production shows the magic of live theater. The twins don't look anything like each other, and one pair is played by female actors (how Shakespeare-like). No matter. Dress them alike, as the company did here and the audience immediately accepts the convention. This is huge fun, theatrically magical and an amazing achievement for this talented group. Don't miss this, and bring your kids. They will understand everything and thank you for a fun hour with the Bard.
A Comedy of Errors
by Beverly Foster Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Lively, funny--the Bard himself would have been proud of the way the actors brought his words to life.
great start to the fringe
by Delano DuGarm Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I really enjoyed this very cut-down version of the Comedy of Errors. Good acting, great costumes, excellent diction (I swear I could hear an echo of the surrounding buildings sometimes). I was very impressed by how well the cast handled a difficult site, with people walking by and and lots of noise from the light-rail station.
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