Seattle Shakespeare Company’s latest adaption of Comedy of Errors began last weekend and has put a new twist on the classic concept, with its small ensemble cast of five actors playing eighteen different characters at once.
Chaos due to mistaken identity
Directed by Jimmy Shields, Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors, opened this past weekend at Seattle Center. First performed on the Feast of Holy Innocents ( December 28th) in 1594, at the Hall of Gray’s Inn, one of the inns of court, in 1594, it has been adapted many times into plays, musicals and opera.
The Tempest is being shown this summer by the Seattle Shakespeare Company. It is being shown for free in various parks around the Puget Sound as part of Free Shakespeare in the Parks, and is directed by Lee Adcock-Starr.
Seattle Shakes Postpones Richard II, Long Day’s Journey into Night and Volpone
Seattle Shakespeare Company announced that due to the ongoing public health crisis, it is postponing its productions of Richard II with upstart crow collective and Long Day’s Journey into Night, by Eugene O’Neill. The fall production of Ben Jonson’s Volpone will move to spring 2021 to join a previously scheduled production of Much Ado About Nothing.
Seattle Shakespeare Company: A free, live stream reading of Shakespeare’s 12th Night June 18 at 7:30 PM
Website: https://www.seattleshakespeare.org/ruffreads/ or
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/seattleshakes
For the second presentation in Seattle Shakespeare’s Ruff Reads series, the company will present an online reading of the comedy Twelfth Night. The reading will feature much of the cast of the 2012 Wooden O production of the play. Audiences can relive their fun summer memories of this hilarious Wooden O production by gathering (but still social distancing!) with family and friends for this digital event. A brief Q&A session on YouTube will follow the event.
Cancellations of the Wooden O productions of The Comedy of Errors and Othello, and Cry Havoc series
Today Seattle Shakespeare Company’s Artistic Director George Mount announced that the
company is canceling the Wooden O shows for the summer of 2020. The theatre is also cancelling its May
special presentation of Stephan Wolfert’s Cry Havoc!
“This summer, considering the dreadful novel coronavirus threat, the prospect of large group gatherings
poses too great a risk to the health and well-being of our audiences and our valued artists and support
teams,” said Mount. “For the safety of us all, this year, we cannot not go forward with Wooden O as usual.”
The cancelled Wooden O productions of The Comedy of Errors and Othello will be rescheduled for the
summer of 2021. Seattle Shakespeare was also to present Cry Havoc! In late May and has cancelled that
event. said Artistic Director, George Mount.
Patrons who have questions about tickets or about donating to Seattle Shakespeare Company may contact
the company through the Ticket Office at 206-733-8222 or online at www.seattleshakespeare.org.
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New Ruff Reads Streaming Series To celebrate William Shakespeare’s birthday week, Seattle Shakespeare will host a FREE live stream reading
Director George Mount leaves no theatrical stone left unturned in his search for innovative ways to stage his rollicking take on Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s The Rivals. Even before the audience has settled into their seats, on stage, a hurried and hushed discussion takes place between two actors most notably upset. Suddenly they whisk away what appears to be an audience member engrossed in her program while making her way to her seat. She is unceremoniously handed a script and shoved backstage. The show must go on and we all need to do our part! Let the madness begin!
When performing a work of Shakespeare such as Romeo and Juliet, it is essential to not only stay true to the play’s original intent, but also remain unique among thousands of other adaptations. Luckily, Wooden O’s recent production of the tragedy stuck out as a great option for both newcomers and experienced viewers of Shakespearean theatre.
Seattle Shakespeare’s final show of their 2019 indoor season, “As You Like It,” opened at Center Theater last Friday to
