Although William Shakespeare did not produce a play considered a "beach book," the BoarsHead Theatre's production of "Comedy of Errors" is like a day at the seaside - relaxing and amusing.

Director Geoffrey Sherman is right - it's easier to understand a Shakespearean play by allowing the outdated English words to simply sweep over you like a wave than it is to dissect every sentence.

The atmosphere created by BoarsHead Theatre, 425 S. Grand Ave. in Lansing, helped the audience undertake this easygoing approach to "Comedy of Errors."

Upon walking in the theater and immediately viewing a stage covered in sand and decked out with beach chairs and a boardwalk, the audience members knew this version of the play was not going to fit their stereotypical idea of Shakespeare.

"Comedy of Errors" is a case of mistaken identity. There is a ban on travel between the Greek towns of Syracuse and Ephesus. Egeon, played by Russell Pitts, knows this but visits Ephesus anyway while searching for his long-lost son and wife who disappeared at sea about 23 years ago. Egeon has been living in Syracuse with his other son, Antipholus, played by Neil Necastro.

While in Ephesus, Egeon is found and arrested. He is given 24 hours to raise 1,000 marks or receive the death sentence.

Meanwhile, Antipholus of Syracuse also comes to Ephesus, but is mistaken for Antipholus of Ephesus played by Nathan Hosner.

Throughout the rest of the play, unbeknownst to them and others, the twin brothers rotate in the position of Antipholus of Ephesus. The brothers' twin slaves, Dromio of Syracuse and Dromio of Ephesus, add to the confusion.

The actors playing the two sets of twins are not actually related, but with costumes and makeup the brothers look amazingly similar and at first it is difficult to distinguish the twins from one another, despite knowing the setup.

One of the highlights of "Comedy of Errors" is Cheri Lynne's portrayal of Adriana, wife of Antipholus of Ephesus.

Adriana is a firebrand woman who knows what she wants and deserves, and isn't afraid to speak her mind.

Although here the story grates my mind - Adriana is chided throughout the play by various people to be more docile toward her husband - Lynne's rage is excellently confused by the input of others.

Necastro and Hosner, who play the Antipholus brothers, both demonstrate a wide range of emotions from lust to confusion to near madness.

Each actor accompanies his or her lines with excellent facial expressions and various gestures, which greatly aid the audience in understanding the antique Shakespearean language.

The two Dromios, played by Nathan Pease and Sean Ward, are especially gifted at lending this helping hand. Dromio often makes lewd jokes, and the blocking and gestures add to both the humor and the audience's understanding.

The jokes and presentation of "Comedy of Errors" lend an unexpected sense of relaxation and pleasure to an evening of Shakespearean theater, bringing the spring atmosphere to the stage.