- Name of the Performance: The Comedy of Errors (Written by W. Shakespeare)
- Performers: Current Students of Waseda University
- Director: Kenta Takayama (Shakespeare Theatre Company)
- Date: February 4 and 5, 2023
- Venue: Okuma Small Auditorium
Summary:
On February 4 and 5, 2023, a reading performance of a Shakespeare play was held in the Okuma Small Auditorium free of charge. The play performed was Shakespeare’s early comedy, The Comedy of Errors, and all performers were current Waseda University students. The performance was organized by the School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University, and co-organized by the University’s Cultural Affairs Division.
This is the sixth Shakespearean performance project, which began in 2016, the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. At that time, Professor Hiromi Fuyuki (the Faculty of Letters, Arts and Sciences) planned the initial reading performance of a Shakespeare play presented exclusively by Waseda University students. Since then, performances have been held every year, and this year we were able to hold the event thanks to the performing arts subsidy and support from the School of International Liberal Studies. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the School of International Liberal Studies for this funding and support.
Process Leading up to the Performance of the Production:
In December 2022, I put out an open call to all students across the university to perform on stage. Then the audition was held after that. The 12 successful students rehearsed under the acting guidance of Mr. Kenta Takayama, the director and representative of the Shakespeare Theatre. Through discussions with the director, each student gained a deep understanding of their role and made amazing progress. All the students enthusiastically practiced, prioritizing the importance of words and aiming to deliver their lines clearly to the audience.
The performance was originally scheduled to take place at the Ono Memorial Auditorium on January 8 and 9, 2023. However, due to one of the performers testing positive for COVID-19, we had no choice but to cancel the performance at short notice. Despite the challenge, all the students were eager to showcase the fruit of their work. After consulting with the Faculty of International Liberal Studies, we decided to reschedule the performance on February 5 and 6, 2023, at a different venue, the Okuma Small Auditorium instead. Rehearsals were again held in late January and early February, and we successfully held four stage performances. It should also be added that the play was made possible thanks to the dedicated support of three other student staff members.
Overview of the Performance:
This performance took the form of a staged reading, in which the actors held the script and read it. This is the style we have been using since 2016. However, this reading differs from a typical sit-down reading, where the performers move and act their parts naturally, just like in a regular stage performance. The most amusing aspect of The Comedy of Errors is the farcical exchanges that occur when two pairs of twins are mistaken for each other. They conveyed the jokes and puns clearly and comically in the performance, which often drew laughter from the audience. I believe that the performance in an “empty” space with no stage set and no lighting equipment allowed the words to be conveyed directly and represented the essence of this comedy.
Many of the audience comments have been highly favorable as well: “The words were clearly conveyed on stage,” “It was very funny,” “The actors were brilliant,” and “The performance was wonderful and moving,” etc. We have also received high praise from several professional actors and a theatre critic who published an excellent review of the play on the Internet.
Finally, I would like to conclude by acknowledging the exceptional dedication of the students. Despite many of them having no previous acting experience, all the students in this performance put a great deal of effort into daily rehearsals, displaying teamwork and actively developing their lines, dialogue, and stage movements independently. Their tireless commitment to creating such a notable performance in such a short period under the kind and meticulous guidance of the director, Mr. Takayama, is truly worthy of admiration.
Persons responsible for organizing the project:
Norimasa Morita (Professor at School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University)
Hiromi Fuyuki (Professor at School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Waseda University)
