IN a city and a venue mourning the loss of its annual Royal Shakespeare Company season this year, this was the kind of feisty fillip that was required from director Ed Hall’s all-male company.

The opening, featuring a Havana-style, mustachioed and sunglasses-wearing street band, was a promising scenesetter.

The Jedward stage, the appearance of twin sons Antipholus (Dugald Bruce- Lockhart and Sam Swainsbury) and their twin servants Dromio (Richard Frame and Jon Trenchard) is a minor masterpiece.

Hall and Roger Warren have adapted Shakespeare’s script to include karate-kicking Luciana (David Newman), sister to the extremely confused Ephesus twin’s wife (Robert Hands, a flouncing triumph).

The infamous gold chain is delivered by shopping trolley before the cast rush around to the foyer to entertain the ice cream queue with a Madonna song or two.

A glorious second half descends into total farce.

Dominic Tighe’s corrupt police officer threatens the first showstealer with a proposal of marriage to an audience member called Sarah.

Tony Bell is a riot as Dr Pinch after opting to portray him as a Yorkshire-accented Hallelujah preacher, complete with an upto- date crack about seeking a wallet containing £35m. Then Kelsey Brookfield as an overenhanced Courtesan adds a little more allure to the romp.

Fortunately, the twins hold sway and Swainsbury’s roll-onthe- floor rant about the injustices inflicted on him earns the applause of the night.

􀁧 Comedy of Errors runs in tandem with Richard III.

Comedy of Errors is tonight, and Friday, at 7.30pm, and Saturday, at 2pm. Richard III is today, at 2pm, and Saturday, at 7.30pm. Box office: 08448-112-121 and online theatreroyal.co.uk