Intermission Youth Theatre are back with another remixed Shakespeare, and for the first time, this year's reimagined classic will be directed by one of their own graduates, Stephanie Badaru.
Comedy of Errors Remixed tackles themes of identity, immigration and displacement, using the characters to explore and address a topic currently dominating headlines and social media. Set in London, this remix of Shakespeare’s classic farce follows two asylum seekers as they arrive in the UK having escaped from conflict in their home country. We see them struggle to assimilate as they navigate language barriers, prejudice and mistaken identity, eventually reconnecting with their long lost twins who immigrated to the UK after escaping a civil war 20 years earlier. Updated for this production, the original narrative of Comedy of Errors stands the test of time, highlighting the impact displacement can have on your identity, relationships and life experience.
Forced from their native home of “Shakespeare”, Anthony and Dominique seek asylum in the UK. Unbeknownst to them, their identical twins who they believed to have been killed in civil war twenty years earlier, are also residing in the UK and to confuse matters further, both sets of twins share the same name. Only speaking Shakespearean, the twins are quickly mistaken for their London twins who speak only Street, causing chaos. Comedy of Errors Remixed is a hilarious reimagining of Comedy of Errors.
Intermission Youth helps to transform the lives of young people living in London through drama, film, and whole-person support. Since 2008, IY have engaged with over 8,000 young people to improve their mental health, social skills, life outcomes and outlook on their ambitions. As part of this mission, the organisation runs a 10-month programme for 16-25 year olds as an accessible alternative to drama school, who form the cast for each years’ production. The themes in Comedy of Errors Remixed resonate deeply with so many of the current cohort, whose lives and families have been negatively impacted by the climate and policies around immigration.
Artistic Director and playwright Darren Raymond says, “This year has recorded the highest concerns over immigration, attitudes toward the “other” are worsening. We are divided. Members of our cast are second and third generation immigrants and still struggle to feel British. Comedy of Errors Remixed, explores and challenges some of these issue, holding the mirror, as it were, up to nature. It’s a necessary piece of theatre for our times and thoroughly entertaining! To have Steph (2008 IY graduate) directing makes this even more special, I’m looking forward to the magic she creates with the team!”
IY Trustee Mark Rylance says, “Darren Raymond's adaptations, uniting the lives of young Londoners with the wisdom and humour of Shakespeare, have been my favourite productions of Shakespeare over the last 15 years. There is a passion, wild wit and authenticity to these young actors that reminds me how deeply Shakespeare understood young love. This is theatre that I enjoy, admire and never miss.”
Director Stephanie Badaru says, “I started Intermission in the first ever cohort as a teenager, and I had no idea what I was getting into. Nearly 17 years later, Intermission Youth has become a home for me, as is evident by how heavily I’m still involved. After my first year as a Facilitator last year, Darren asked me to direct, and though I initially called him crazy, and despite having a full time job, my gut and my spirit told me I had to do it. We have two amazing casts, and Comedy of Errors Remixed is so much fun - it’s pure chaos and hilarity, and I’m loving playing with that. To have the opportunity to work with and support young people in the way I was supported is an incredible and invaluable experience.”
Website I
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InstagramCreative & Production Team:Writer: Darren Raymond
Director: Stephanie Badaru
Associate Director: Federay Holmes
Producer: Lilli Lehmann
Costume Designer: Sheree Paton
Costume Supervisor: Bolu Dairo
Set Designer: Constance Villemot
Lighting Designer: Rajiv Pattani
Sound Designer: Pierre Flasse
Production Manager: Jasmin Meara Wall
Company Stage Manager: Sofia Zaragoza
Stage Manager: Myanna Haye
PR Manager: Steph Hartland
Marketing Manager: Yasmin Mehboob Khan
Social Media Assistant: Maria-Tara Adedap
Production Trainees: Shannon Wariebi, Shumirai Mudzudzu, Luka Barton
Supported by Garfield Weston, The Gosling Family Trust, The Golden Bottle Trust, The Jack Petchey Foundation, The Big Give
Performances to 20th Dec
Times: Tue-Fri at 7pm, Sat 2pm & 7pm
Location: The Courtyard Theatre, 40 Bowling Green Walk, Pitfield St, London N1 6EU
Tickets: Standard £20, Concession £15, Under 18s £10, Previews £10
Booking tickets: here‘Pay What You Can’ tickets available to purchase every Tuesday and on Wed 10 December; “Prices available at box office”.
Age guidance: 10+
Intermission Youth relies on the generous support of many individuals, trusts and foundations. If you would like to make a donation to support our work, please visit click
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