The Comedy of Errors

It’s more a case of “Two Men, Two Guvnors” in this busy interpretation of Shakespeare’s comedy of doubly muddled identity.

Lenny Henry may have been a late starter when it comes to the Bard, but he’s on great form as the increasingly irate and perplexed Antipholus of Syracuse who (despite a West African accent) is continually mistaken for his long lost twin brother when he arrives in Ephesus.

Lucian Msamati is equally good value as his beleaguered and superstitious servant Dromio (who also lost his twin in the same shipwreck) whilst Claudie Blakley and Michelle Terry turn the wife and sister-in-law of Antipholus of Ephesus into teetering, miniskirted Essex girls.

Bunny Christie’s impressive design twists and rotates to conjure a multifaceted and often sleazy city as well as an airborne sea rescue, and Dominic Cooke’s lively production rarely blows off course.

Olivier at the National, South Bank, SE1 9PX (020 7452 3000) Tube: Waterloo Until April 1 2012 (£12-£45) nationaltheatre.org.uk