Tim Supple 1996 production

This production toured the UK and internationally, before transferring to the Young Vic in London.

In contrast to many other productions of Comedy, which have been packed with energetic circus routines, pantomine-style farce or Carry On-style humour, this production was described as thoughtful and sombre. As the audience entered, Aegeon was already on-stage, chained to a wall.

Act 4 Scene 4

Antipholus of Ephesus Thou art sensible in nothing but blows, and so is an ass. 
Dromio of Ephesus I am an ass, indeed; you may prove it by my long ears.

Dromis has bought a rope as instructed by Antipholus of Syracuse, so when Antipholus of Ephesus asks him for money to buy him out of jail, he gets angry when Dromio says he's spent it on rope.

Photograph shows (left to right): Dromio of Ephesus (Eric Mallett) and Antipholus of Ephesus (Simon Coates).

Photo: Malcolm Davies Collection © © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Browse and license our images

Act 2 Scene 2

Antipholus of Syracuse Yea, dost thou jeer and flout me in the teeth?
Think'st thou I jest? Hold, take thou that, and that.

Antipholus of Syracuse (Robert Bowman, right) gets angry with Dromio of Syracuse (Dan Milne)

Photo: Malcolm Davies Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Browse and license our images

Act 2 Scene 2

Adriana How comes it now, my husband, O, how comes it, / That thou art thus estranged from thyself?

Adriana wonders why her husband is acting strangely – but she has mistaken Antipholus of Syracuse for his twin brother.

Photograph shows (left to right): Adriana (Sarah C Cameron), Antipholus of Syracuse (Robert Bowman) and Luciana (Thusitha Jayasundera, background)

Malcolm Davies Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Browse and license our images

Act 2 Scene 2

Antipholus of Syracuse Am I in earth, in heaven, or in hell?
Sleeping or waking? mad or well-advised? / Known unto these, and to myself disguised! 
I'll say as they say and persever so, / And in this mist at all adventures go.

Adriana mistakes Antipholus of Syracuse for her husband (his twin brother). He is surprised by her affection towards him, but decides to make the most of it.

Photograph shows (left to right): Dromio of Syracuse (Dan Milne), Antipholus of Syracuse (Robert Bowman) and Adriana (Sarah C Cameron)

Malcolm Davies Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Browse and license our images

Act 4 Scene 1

Angelo Saving your merry humour, here's the note
How much your chain weighs to the utmost carat, / The fineness of the gold and chargeful fashion. 
Which doth amount to three odd ducats more / Than I stand debted to this gentleman: 
I pray you, see him presently discharged, / For he is bound to sea and stays but for it.

Angelo is in debt to the Merchant but can't pay the debt because he's waiting for Antipholus of Ephesus to pay him for a chain he's made. Just as Angelo is about to be arrested, he spots Antipholus and Dromio in the street and demands immediate payment.

Photograph shows: (left to right) Merchant (Gary Oliver), Antipholus of Ephesus (Simon Coates) and Angelo (Andy Williams).

Malcolm Davies Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Browse and license our images

Act 4 Scene 1

Angelo This touches me in reputation. / Either consent to pay this sum for me
Or I attach you by this officer.

Angelo threatens Antipholus of Ephesus with immediate arrest if he can't pay for the chain he gave him – but he doesn't have the chain! It was taken by Antipholus of Syracuse. 
Since Angelo can't pay his own debt to the Merchant, he is arrested instead.

Photograph shows (left to right): Merchant (Gary Oliver), Angelo (Andy Williams, on the floor), Officer (Thomas Fisher) and Antipholus of Ephesus (Simon Coates).

Malcolm Davies Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Browse and license our images

Act 4 Scene 1

Angelo This touches me in reputation. / Either consent to pay this sum for me
Or I attach you by this officer.

Angelo threatens Antipholus of Ephesus with immediate arrest if he can't pay for the chain he gave him – but he doesn't have the chain! It was taken by Antipholus of Syracuse. 
Since Angelo can't pay his own debt to the Merchant, he is arrested instead.

Photograph shows (left to right): Merchant (Gary Oliver), Angelo (Andy Williams, on the floor), Officer (Thomas Fisher) and Antipholus of Ephesus (Simon Coates).

Malcolm Davies Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Browse and license our images

Act 4 Scene 4

Adriana O! Bind him, bind him, let him not come near me.

Dr Pinch has deemed that both Dromio and Antipholus of Ephesus are mad and so he has them bound to be taken to Adriana's house.

Photograph shows (left to right): Adriana (Sarah C Cameron), Dromio of Ephesus (Eric Mallett) and Antipholus of Ephesus (Simon Coates).

Malcolm Davies Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Browse and license our images

Act 5 Scene 1

Dromio of Ephesus We came into the world like brother and brother;
And now let's go hand in hand, not one before another. 

Photograph shows Dromio of Syracuse (Dan Milne) with Dromio of Ephesus (Eric Mallett) at the end of the play.

Malcolm Davies Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Browse and license our images
Launch Gallery

The set, designed by Robert Innes Hopkins, was a stark brick wall with one double door which functioned as the doorway for every encounter: from shops and brothels, to Adriana's house and the abbey.

More atmosphere was provided by Adrian Lee's Arabian-influenced score, created with an assortment of unusual instruments and providing a near-constant soundtrack.

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