The Comedy of Errors

cutting and notes by John Minigan from the original by Shakespeare

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.

Comedy Classical Adaptation Shakespeare Shakespeare in an Hour

Average Producer Rating:

Recommended for High Schools and Middle Schools

About 60 minutes

Times given are approximate and do not include intermissions/scene changes/breaks

18 Characters

5 M | 5 F | 8 Any Gender, + jailers, officers, and attendants, Doubling Possible

Simple Set

41 pages

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Performance Royalty Fees

Royalty fees apply to all performances whether or not admission is charged. Any performance in front of an audience (e.g. an invited dress rehearsal) is considered a performance for royalty purposes.

Exemption details for scenes and monologues for competition.

Praise for The Comedy of Errors

Jamie Gann

Centennial Middle School

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.