'My Gold!' Quoth He
-Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors
Believed to be one of Shakespeare's earliest plays, The Comedy of Errors is Shakespearean Farce at its best. With its two sets of twins, the play has a nearly continuous flow of mistaken identities, miscommunications, and unforeseen romances. In March we heard from Wriley Hoffner as Antipholus of Syracuse and his mixed-up love story. This week we have Joseph ‘Stix’ Davis performing the bumbling, comical servant, Dromio of Ephesus (one of the twins) and his case of mistaken identity.
Stix is a professional drummer and voice actor. He’d got wind of the Monologue Project and wanted to try his hand at recording one. We’re glad he did. When asked why he chose this piece from The Comedy of Errors he said, “This monologue is a fast paced and humorous retelling of two people having two vastly different conversations because of mistaken identities. It’s quick, it’s absurd, it’s a lot of fun, and it teaches a crucial lesson - communication is key.” We love a good case of mistaken identity; it’s classic comedy.
To learn more about Joseph ‘Stix’ Davis and how to book him, visit his website by clicking here.
JOSEPH ‘STIX’ DAVIS AS DROMIO OF EPHESUS:
THE MONOLOGUE: COMEDY OF ERRORS, ACT II SCENE 1, DROMIO OF EPHESUS
“Why, mistress, sure my master is horn-mad.
.…I mean not cuckold-mad;
But, sure, he is stark mad.
When I desired him to come home to dinner,
He ask'd me for a thousand marks in gold:
''Tis dinner-time,' quoth I; 'My gold!' quoth he;
'Your meat doth burn,' quoth I; 'My gold!' quoth he:
'Will you come home?' quoth I; 'My gold!' quoth he.
'Where is the thousand marks I gave thee, villain?'
'The pig,' quoth I, 'is burn'd;' 'My gold!' quoth he:
'My mistress, sir' quoth I; 'Hang up thy mistress!
I know not thy mistress; out on thy mistress!'Quoth my master:
'I know,' quoth he, 'no house, no wife, no mistress.'
So that my errand, due unto my tongue,
I thank him, I bare home upon my shoulders;
For, in conclusion, he did beat me there.”
MORE ABOUT THE MONOLOGUE PROJECT
Our goal of Shakespeare from the Ground’s Monologue Project is to collect a library of Shakespearean monologues to share with our community for virtual entertainment while we are still socially distanced. You don’t need to be a professional actor to participate. If you’re inspired and ready to record, great! If you need help selecting your Shakespeare Monologue or getting it recorded, reach out and we’ll help you get the ball rolling. Are you ready to take to the boards once again…virtually?
