Every year I look forward to the Maynardville Open Air Theatre, which is home to a Shakespeare-in-the-Park production every summer. A Shakespearean classic is performed annually by a brand new cast to an audience seated under the stars and surrounded by the leafy trees of Maynardville Park. With the hot summer weather, it is simply divine to be entertained outdoors. 
There really is something special about how the stage becomes the glowing centre of attention, growing brighter as the evening light starts to fade, until eventually the characters have transported you so far into their world that it’s almost a surprise that it’s night time and completely dark by the time intermission arrives.
This year, Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors is brought to life onstage by a great cast which includes local funny man Rob van Vuuren of Corné and Twakkie fame. Don’t expect a stiff classic that’s going to bore you to death; this version is set in Chinatown and costumes will remind you of Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon. Lanterns are strung between the trees and even the resident statue of Shakespeare is adorned in a traditional conical hat.
It’s a very modern take on this story and you can expect lots of slapstick, a female DJ in traditional Chinese robes looking over the audience, a karaoke performance, oh, and..er… a dancing Panda bear.
There’s a 10-20 minute interval between the two acts which are just under an hour each. Ice cream, coffee and other refreshments are sold at a few stalls outside the entrance to the open-air theatre but if you arrive early, you’ll have time to picnic in the park before the show.
A Comedy of Errors runs until Saturday 18 Feb 2012.
This season at Maynardville Open-Air Theatre you’ll also be able to see Cape Town City Ballet dancing Kenneth MacMillan’s world-renowned Solitaire and David Lichine’s quirky Graduation Ball on 22, 29 January, 5, 12, 19, 20 & 21 February 2012.
More info: http://www.maynardville.co.za/
Book at Computicket or through Artscape Dial-a-Seat 021 421 7695.
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