A Company of Rascals
A brand new comedy by Phil Porter
-A Company of Rascals is a hilarious new play behind a play, created to be performed simultaneously with The Comedy of Errors, with the same cast of fabulous comic characters, and written by award-winning Phil Porter (The Lavender Hill Mob, The Boy With Two Hearts (National Theatre), Vice Versa and The Christmas Truce (RSC)).
The audience will be taken on a journey round the bawdy backstreets of Ephesus, into a world of charlatans and bootleggers. Will visiting merchant Egeon, the only honest man in town, raise the ransom to buy his own freedom in a world where nobody is who they seem?
A Company of Rascals will be performed by the same incredible cast as The Comedy of Errors, cleverly intertwining the action, as they simultaneously perform The Comedy of Errors on the main stage, and A Company of Rascals in promenade in locations around the theatre, inside and out.
You can see just one play, or buy tickets to both and enjoy them at different times, and glimpse behind the curtain in this unmissable theatrical event.
Celebrate the finale of our refurbishment project, and the Arnaud’s 60th anniversary year, in this great partnership with our friends, Guildford Shakespeare Company in two productions directed by our Director & Chief Executive, Joanna Read.
1 CAST | 2 PLAYS | 5 LOCATIONS | 26,329 LAUGHS*
*subject to availability
Book both shows in one transaction to save!
Comedy of Errors & Company of Rascals - Frequently Asked Questions
Why two plays?
Ever wondered what happens when a character leaves the stage? Where do they go? Who do they meet? What do they get up to?
In The Comedy of Errors, the character of Egeon is instructed to find a sum of money to save his life by the end of the day, and he’s not seen again until the final scene. So, what happens to him? Hence, the story of A Company of Rascals follows the off-stage action of the characters from The Comedy of Errors as he searches for someone to pay his bond.
Am I watching two plays at the same time?
No. You will watch one play at a time. They are just taking place at the same time. For example, you buy a Monday ticket for The Comedy of Errors and Friday ticket for A Company of Rascals.
So, do I need to buy 1 or 2 tickets?
You need to buy 1 ticket per play – 1 for Errors, 1 for Rascals, but obviously not for the same time.
Will I understand A Company of Rascals of I don’t see The Comedy of Errors?
Absolutely. The play is designed to be enjoyed completely on its own... but for the ultimate experience, we’d recommend you seeing both.
Do I need to watch them in order?
No. It doesn’t matter which play you see first.
Is there seating at A Company of Rascals?
Due to the promenade style we have limited the audience capacity to 100. There will be reduced seating in these spaces, but essential seating will be available for those who are less able to stand.
What is promenade, and how much am I moving?
Promenade is where the audience moves with the action. We will be using 3 spaces in and around the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre: the restaurant, the Mill studio and the garden. All spaces will be accessible. Guildford Shakespeare are experts in this style of theatre so you’re in very safe hands.
In partnership with
Supported by
With thanks to our Principle Sponsors
