Mansfield Youth Appears in Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors

“ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE” for this group of teens from the Quiet Corner of Connecticut. Most of us remember the slumber parties of our youth, complete with the usual late-night shenanigans. But picture a group of teens, dressed in their pajamas, munching popcorn and binge-watching Shakespeare on a Friday night.

It’s true. This happens. Right here in the Quiet Corner.

Fifteen homeschooled students ages 12-18 take part in Shakespeare Conquest, a program designed to bring Shakespeare to life for school-aged kids. Under the enthusiastic leadership of Jennifer Owen, students study one of Shakespeare’s tragedies in the fall, and perform a comedy in the spring. This season began with Macbeth. Students analyze literary tools, create projects, analyze characters, attend professional Shakespeare productions, and compete to see who can tally the most works of Shakespeare read in one semester. Field trips are not always local. Some of the students recently traveled to London to participate in a tour of Shakespeare’s old haunts.

Now it’s spring, and this bubbly group of teens takes to the stage in Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors. Slapstick humor and mistaken identity meet the usual puns and plays on words, making this one of Shakespeare’s most lighthearted plays.

The Comedy of Errors is the story of two sets of identical twins that were accidentally separated as babies. Antipholus and his servant arrive in Ephesus, which happens to be the home of each of their twin brothers. Coincidentally, their brothers happen to share their same names. When the travelers come across friends and family of their unknown twins, a crazy cascade of mishaps results. Wrongful arrests, false accusations, theft, near infidelity, and a surprise marriage are just a few stops along the journey to reunite the separated twins.

Most of the actors are returning to Shakespeare Conquest for their second, third, or fourth year. “We’re a family. Everyone is creative and entertaining. And Miss Jennifer always has a way of making Shakespeare fun.” Students come together from multiple towns. Mansfield native Marcus Palumbo plays Antipholus of Ephesus and several of the performers are from Stafford Springs, Woodstock, Ashford, Chaplin, and other surrounding towns, including Claribel and Seamus Connor, Gabe and Jacob Wurst, Cotey Drake, Alex Hay, Cormac and Lindsay Nielsen, Audrey Anne Pothier, Adrienne Owen, Adam and Gabe Moss, Brighid Pierson, and Jackie Trudeau.

What brings these kids back to Shakespeare, year after year? Shakespeare Conquest veteran Lindsay Nielsen sums it up. “I like Shakespeare, and the people are awesome. When you combine them, it’s a whole new level of awesomeness!”

The Comedy of Errors will be performed May 3rd, 4th, and 5th at 7:00 pm, 525 Rt. 44, Ashford, CT. The play is appropriate for all ages, and admission is free.