D ODIE Browne can't help laughing when she talks about The Comedy of Errors, this year's production from Polesden Lacey Shakespeare.
The production assistant's face creases into one big smile and she bursts out: "It's so funny!" You can understand what she means when you see the comic timing of the experienced cast in rehearsal bringing Shakespeare's hilarious farce to life.
The play opens in the open-air theatre at Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham, on Saturday (July 13), continuing on Sunday (July 14) and next weekend, Saturday and Sunday July 20 and 21.
Director Gary Andrews plays no small role himself, leaping around the rehearsal room with one idea after another for comic actions to point up the bard's wit.
Gary explains: "It's in a traditional setting but it's fast moving, flamboyant and full of colour and chaos, and what's more," he adds, "it makes me laugh almost as much as Dodie!"
The implausible story features two pairs of identical twins who are unaware that they are in the same town.
A married twin is mistaken for the other, merchants demand money from the wrong purchaser, and in one crazy scene a psychiatrist is brought in to try to convince one twin that he is his identical other.
To be sure that the twins look alike, actors Peter Westmacott and Olly Reeves each play a set of twins, becoming quick-change artists in the process.
Polesden Lacey Shakespeare have a policy of always presenting Shakespeare's plays in traditional costume but in line with the anarchic qualities of this farcical comedy, things promise to be more flamboyant this year.
The audience can picnic before the show in the attractive surroundings of the Polesden Lacey National Trust estate and it's free on the first Saturday for children under 16.
For the first time, Polesden Lacey Shakespeare in collaboration with the Cat's Grin Theatre Company, are also presenting Pop Up Shakespeare on the two Saturday afternoons from 2pm.
It will feature short memorable scenes from Shakespeare and a junior version of A Midsummer Night's Dream performed in various settings around the grounds of Polesden Lacey.
The scenes will be accompanied by strolling musicians Perdix, and quartets playing music of Shakespeare's era on authentic instruments will be playing near the coffee shop.
It is free to all visitors who have paid to go into the grounds at Polesden Lacey.
