John Archibald Austen, Comedy of Errors Woodcut, 1939. Victoria & Albert Museum, London, UK.

Since Shakespeare’s Early Modern English can be difficult for some audience members to follow, you may find it helpful to read the plot of The Comedy of Errors before you see the show! You’ll be able to follow the action on stage with greater clarity. Some people might be afraid of “spoilers” but even Shakespeare professionals find it helpful to know what you’re getting into in advance in order to fully enjoy the production. We’ve also provided a character list for keeping track of who’s who.

Plot

Thirty years before our story begins, Aegeon, his wife and their two twin boys were separated in a shipwreck during a storm.

The city of Ephesus has put a ban on all travelers traveling from Syracuse, a rival city. Aegeon, a merchant from Syracuse, is sentenced to his death by Duke Solinus of Ephesus when he is caught traveling between the two. Aegeon admits that he has come to Ephesus in search of his long lost twin sons, and the Duke is so moved by his story that he gives him one day to raise enough money for his ransom.

Meanwhile, Antipholus of Syracuse and his traveling servant, Dromio, are also visiting Ephesus. A kindly merchant warns them of the travel ban and advises that they dress in the clothing of the land. Unbeknownst to them, by donning the clothes of Ephesians, the two become indistinguishable from a prosperous pair of Ephesians… also known as Antipholus and his servant Dromio! It isn’t long before someone mistakes the Syracusian pair for the Ephesian pair, and mischief, mayhem, and mistaken romance ensue!

First, the Syracusian Antipholus and Dromio run into Adriana, the wife of Antipholus of Ephesus. She insists that the two follow her back to her home (the home of Antipholus of Ephesus) for dinner. Adriana instructs Dromio to stand guard at the front door of the home and admit no one to enter. When the real Antipholus of Ephesus and his servant Dromio arrive at home for dinner, they’re shocked to find that their entrance into the home is barred by a peculiarly familiar clown! Enraged, Antipholus of Ephesus decides that if he can’t dine with his wife, he’ll dine with his friend, the courtesan. Meanwhile at dinner, Antipholus of Syracuse fails to treat Adriana with the respect a wife deserves, instead setting his sights on her fair sister, Luciana.

Confusion continues to abound when Angelo, a goldsmith, mistakenly delivers a gold chain ordered by Antipholus of Ephesus to his Syracusian counterpart. Having never received the chain himself, Antipholus of Ephesus refuses to pay for the product, and is jailed. Adriana, fearing for her husbands sanity, begs to have both her husband and his servant exorcised.

As Antipholus of Syracuse and his servant continue to walk free in Ephesus, panic begins to spread throughout the town as it is believed they are the Ephesian pair and therefor, escaped convicts. Frightened, the Syracusian pair take refuge in an abbey.

While the final hour of Aegeon’s life quickly approaches, Adriana approaches the Duke at the Abbey to seek help for her husband. Her husband, Antipholus has broken free with his servant and has tracked down the Duke to demand he press charges against his wife for causing all this insanity.

Finally, the Abbess, Emilia, reveals herself and the set of Syracusian twins. She discloses that she had entered the religious order after shipwrecking on Ephesus 30 years ago, having lost her husband and two twin sons – thus revealing her identity as Aegeon’s wife and the father of the two sets of twins. With the mystery finally solved, and the family reunited, everyone is able to reconcile. Aegeon is pardoned and reunited with his wife, Adriana and Antipholus of Ephesus make amends, and Antipholus of Syracuse may continue his courting of Luciana. The play ends with the two Dromios in ecstatic embrace.

Character List

Antipholus of Syracuse, the twin brother of Antipholus of Ephesus and the son of Aegeon. Traveling the world anxiously  in search of his lost family.
Antipholus of Ephesus, the twin brother of Antipholus of Syracuse and the son of Aegeon. Married to Adriana and established as the head of a bustling, successful household.
Dromio of Syracuse, nearly identical twin of Dromio of Ephesus. Endlessly put-upon but witty and good natured nonetheless.
Dromio of Ephesus, nearly identical twin of Dromio of Syracuse. Endlessly put-upon but witty and good natured nonetheless.
Adriana, wife of Antipholus of Ephesus. Fiercely jealous with a sneaking suspicion her husband might be cheating on her.
Luciana, patient sister to Adriana. The object of Antipholus of Syracuse’s affections.
Aegeon, an elderly merchant sentenced to death for his violation of travel law. Father to the twins Antipholus.
Abbess, The head of a religious order in Ephesus, and, secretly, Egeon’s long lost wife Emilia.
Duke Solinus, the ruler of Ephesus
Balthasar, a merchant in Ephesus
Angelo, a friendly goldsmith
Merchant, an Ephesian friend of Antipholus of Syracuse
Second Merchant, a tradesman
Doctor Pinch, a schoolteacher, doctor, and would-be exorcist
Luce, a maid to Antipholus of Ephesus
Courtesan, a friend of Antipholus of Ephesus and a proprietress of the Porpentine Inn

Season Sponsors & Supporters

The Comedy of Errors is supported by our title sponsor, SPEDA, and our artist sponsors, First & Southern National Bank, Greg & Peggy Sherry, and Huffman & Huffman. Additional support is provided by design sponsors Dairy Queen & Forcht Bank.

Flashback Theater is grateful to our 2023-24 Spotlight Sponsors: Applied Behavioral Advancements, M&W Printing, Kentucky Tourism Arts & Heritage Cabinet, The Shubert Foundation, The City of Somerset, David Daring Rentals, and Fenix Digital; as well as our Footlight Sponsors: Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital & Lake Cumberland Residency Programs, First & Farmer’s National Bank, The Weigel Family, United Cumberland Bank, T. Ronald Kidd Trust, Kinetic by Windstream, Somerset Community College, Toyotetsu America, Inc. (TTAI), Brad Bigelow of Century 21 Advantage Realty, and Buffalo Wings & Rings.