What鈥檚 more fun 鈥� and causes more chaos and confusion 鈥� than a pair of separated identical twins?

That would be two pairs of twins, in the capable hands of the Bard.

And that is just what William Shakespeare has given audiences with The Comedy of Errors, this summer鈥檚 offering from 91原创鈥檚 Bard in the Valley theatre company.

The play about a pair of wealthy aristocratic brothers and their sibling servants 鈥� who wind up in the same city after each was separated years earlier from his identical twin during a storm at sea 鈥� will run on the Spirit Square stage in Douglas Park in August. And, once again, it will move to the International Festival in Willoughby at the 91原创 Events Centre for two performances.

Directed by 91原创鈥檚 Darcy J. Knopp, the fourth annual BIV production features performers from New Westminster and south of the Fraser 鈥� from Surrey and Cloverdale to Abbotsford and Chilliwack 鈥� with seven 91原创 actors in the mix.

For two years, Knopp was one of those performers 鈥� acting in the first two Bard in the Valley productions in 2010 and 鈥�11. After taking last summer off, he is excited to be returning to take charge of this year鈥檚 production.

鈥淚 was looking for a chance to do a show in 91原创,鈥� said Knopp, who now calls Chilliwack home.

鈥淒iane (Gendron, the show鈥檚 producer) mentioned they were looking for someone to direct.鈥�

He submitted a proposal for The Comedy of Errors 鈥� one of the first plays by the 16th century English playwright he ever saw performed.

鈥淓veryone has a favourite,鈥� said Knopp. 鈥淭he Comedy of Errors is mine. It鈥檚 a romp through the bewitching City of Ephesus.

鈥淪ure, it鈥檚 ridiculous and trots the border of preposterous, but think of the best adventure you have ever had; would you describe it any other way? It鈥檚 ... guaranteed to make you happy you spent a beautiful summer evening at the outdoor theatre.鈥�

While a lot of playwrights have historically used their work to comment on political and social issues of their day 鈥� which often mean little to modern audiences 鈥� Shakespeare aimed his quill squarely at the timeless subject of human nature and all its foibles.

People are people, and after more than 400 years, the playwright鈥檚 themes still resonate with audiences.

鈥淚 would hope that seeing a show set in a modern (way) with energetic actors will help dispel the myth that Shakespeare is inaccessible. It鈥檚 pretty lighthearted. It should be fun,鈥� said Knopp.

Because one of its goals is to offer lighthearted summer fare, BIV has so far stuck with comedies, rather than venture into Shakespeare鈥檚 more tragic offerings. Previous shows include A Midsummer Night鈥檚 Dream, As You Like It and Twelfth Night.

Bard in the Valley is all about people bringing a picnic and a blanket to the park on a bright, sunny day and being carried off to another place and time by the performance.

But choosing the right time and place is always a bit of a gamble. That鈥檚 particularly true of Knopp鈥檚 production.

鈥淥ne of the things that comes up in the play is that everyone is obsessed with money and being paid,鈥� said the director.

鈥淎 lot of the characters are very wealthy. I thought, 鈥榳here do wealthy people go and play?鈥欌��

That鈥檚 how he settled upon a Monte Carlo-style casino as the perfect place to set his play.

The location adds a different flavour than the typical use of period costumes and sets, said Knopp.

After his proposal was given the green light by the selection committee, Knopp put out the call for a cast that could bring the unlikely story to life in a believable way.

鈥淚 tried to get actors who were similar in appearance and style,鈥� he said.

鈥淭hey could be seen as twins even though they behave quite differently from each other.

鈥淭hey have different upbringings and influences.鈥�

That鈥檚 been part of the fun, he said, finding out how each actor will interpret his character, based on their respective histories.

Not that their work is entirely unfamiliar to him.

鈥淎 lot of my contacts from university turned out to audition.鈥�

Taking on the role of Antipholus of Syracus is Abbotsford鈥檚 JD Dueckman.

The part of Antipholus of Ephesus is played by Chilliwack鈥檚 Tim Howe. The other set of twins, both named Dromio, are played by New Westminster鈥檚 Lionel Rust and Chilliwack鈥檚 Luke Stevens.

BIV performers do tend to change from one production to the next because it鈥檚 summer and a lot of student-actors are working to pay for school, said Knopp, who earned his theatre diploma at University of the Fraser Valley鈥檚 Chilliwack campus.

Shakespeare in the park is a big commitment during those months, he added.

Backstage, meanwhile, there are still a number of familiar faces hard at work on the production team.

鈥淚t鈥檚 helpful to have them there,鈥� Knopp said.

Among those working behind the scenes is Ron Williams.

The Comedy of Errors鈥� technical director was one of Knopp鈥檚 high school teachers.

And the director is enjoying those connections.

鈥淒oing a show in my hometown is kind of a big deal to me,鈥� he said.

Given a choice between directing and acting, which does Knopp prefer?

It depends on whether you want the power or the glory, he laughed.

鈥淚 think one makes you better at the other.鈥�

The Comedy of Errors hits the Spirit Square stage in Douglas Park Aug. 8-11 and Aug. 15-18. Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening performances begin at 7 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17 will include a presentation of scenes in the afternoon in conjunction with 91原创鈥檚 Arts Alive Festival.

It will also be performed during the International Festival in Willoughby Park, next to 91原创 Events Centre, on Aug. 24 and 25. Saturday鈥檚 performance is at 6 p.m. and Sunday鈥檚 show is at 1 p.m.

鈥淲e are delighted, once again, to offer a Shakespearean play that is fast-paced and filled with fun,鈥� said Gendron.

鈥淎dmission is even less than it was in Shakespearean times 鈥� it鈥檚 free 鈥� thanks to the support from our generous sponsors.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a fun outdoor theatre experience for the whole family and a perfect introduction for children to live theatre, and to Shakespeare.鈥�