Bard Crawl: Comedy of Errors Synopsis
Wanna get the skinny on the plot? We got you!
"When your words are done, my woes end likewise with the evening sun..."
Upon illegally landing on the shores of Ephesus, a Syracusian merchant, Egeon, is regretfully condemned to death by Duke Solinus of Ephesus. Egeon cannot afford the bail to save his life and tells the Duke why he made the dangerous journey: many years ago, Egeon’s family was separated at sea. He and his wife Emilia had adopted a pair of twins, both named Dromio, to help care for their own twins, both named Antipholus. Egeon raised his Antipholus & Dromio in Syracuse until they left to search for their missing family. After several years, Egeon follows them and lands in Ephesus, knowing he will either find his family or die. Moved, the Duke gives Egeon until dusk to make bail.
Meanwhile, a local merchant warns Antipholus & Dromio of Syracuse of the feud between the towns of Syracuse and Ephesus. Antipholus of Syracuse gives Dromio of Syracuse money to book a room, then goes to wander the town. Dromio of Ephesus comes upon Antipholus of Syracuse, mistakes him for Antipholus of Ephesus, misunderstands what money they’re talking about, and fails to bring him home to dinner with his wife.
Dromio of Ephesus returns home and finds Antipholus of Ephesus’ wife, Adriana, conversing with her sister Luciana, worried that she is losing her husband’s love. A confused Antipholus of Syracuse is reunited with Dromio of Syracuse, and the two are confronted by Adriana and Luciana, who command them home to dine. Antipholus of Syracuse questions whether they have entered a supernatural realm and leaves Dromio of Syracuse to guard the house gates while he, Antipholus of Syracuse, dines.
Antipholus of Ephesus arrives home for dinner in the company of two friends, Balthasar and Angelo the Goldsmith. The group is repeatedly turned away from the house by Dromio of Syracuse within the gate, aided by a maid named Luce. After being warned by his friends that public fighting will tarnish his reputation, Antipholus of Ephesus proposes having dinner with a Courtesan instead, and instructs Angelo to fetch a chain for her. Inside, Antipholus of Syracuse is scolded by Luciana for mistreating her sister, at which point he tells Luciana he would prefer to marry her rather than Adriana. Luciana reminds him that he is married to her sister.
Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse to prepare to leave town when Angelo returns with the chain and insists that Antipholus of Syracuse take it. Later, Angelo then confronts Antipholus of Ephesus for not paying him for the chain. Antipholus of Ephesus says he will not pay Angelo till he gets the chain, and Angelo has Antipholus of Ephesus arrested for failure to pay his debt. Dromio of Syracuse arrives, and is sent to Antipholus of Ephesus’ home for bail money.
Luciana tells Adriana of Antipholus of Syracuse’s proclamation of love when Dromio of Syracuse returns, asking for bail money for her husband. Adriana is convinced her husband is stark raving mad. Dromio of Syracuse then runs into Antipholus of Syracuse, giving him the money requested by Antipholus of Ephesus. The Courtesan arrives, asking for the chain Angelo gave Antipholus of Syracuse, saying Antipholus (of Ephesus) had taken a ring from her in exchange for that chain. Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse, sure they are being conned by demons, refuse to give her the chain and escape.
Adriana, Luciana, the Courtesan, and Doctor Pinch arrive at the jailhouse to cure Antipholus and Dromio of Ephesus of their demons. They are both bound and returned home after Adriana agrees to pay the bail. Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse then terrify everyone when they suddenly appear out of bondage, before escaping into a nearby abbey for sanctuary. Just as the confusion reaches unsustainable levels, the Abbess appears and reveals that she is Egeon's long-lost wife and the mother of both Antipholi. Both sets of twins are reunited, Egeon’s life is spared, wounds are tended, and all depart to celebrate their good fortune with newfound family and friends.