A Company of Rascals
A brand new comedy by Phil Porter
-Journey round the bawdy backstreets of Ephesus in this hilarious new play with the same cast of comic characters from The Comedy of Errors.
Follow honest merchant Egeon as he fights to buy his own freedom, in a world where where charlatans and bootleggers thrive...
Celebrating the finale of our refurbishment project, and our theatre’s 60th anniversary year!
In partnership with our friends, Guildford Shakespeare Company, directed by our Director & Chief Executive, Joanna Read and written by the award-winning Phil Porter (The Lavender Hill Mob, The Boy With Two Hearts (National Theatre), Vice Versa and The Christmas Truce (RSC)).
HOW TO WATCH
The shows are performed simultaneously with the same cast moving between the two plays.
The Comedy of Errors is performed on the main stage with reserved seating, and A Company of Rascals is performed promenade in locations around the theatre either standing or in unreserved seating.
They are both full length plays, independent of each other, and can be seen in any order.
You decide which show you would like to see first and purchase a ticket for that production. You can book tickets for one or both shows, but booking both in one transaction will save you £20!
Comedy of Errors & Company of Rascals - Frequently Asked Questions
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 NOT for the same time.
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.
Do I need to watch them in order?
No. It doesn’t matter which play you see first.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In partnership with
Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England
With thanks to our Principal Sponsors
