The students of Providence Academy will present William Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors” in its first major theater production on March 11 and 12.

“Shakespeare is not only a master of words but is a master of both drama and the human soul,” said headmaster Archie Buck. “He teaches us about human nature through his Elizabethan eyes and thus lays bare our souls and the souls of those around us.”

Benjamin Boyd is directing the play. “I’ve been really impressed with everybody’s hard work and diligence,” Boyd said.

Boyd said he’d been planning to do “Henry V,” but it had too many male roles so on the day of the auditions the play was switched to “The Comedy of Errors.”

The students had read both plays the year before and some had also seen it performed last summer during a school-related trip to the Ashland Shakespeare Festival.

The play is a story of mistaken identities revolving around two sets of twins. It has been abridged and adapted, for example with the addition of rifles instead of swords because Boyd said he thought it might be safer.

Many of the costumes and much welcome advice were provided by Kate Loftus of Mid-Valley Theater, Boyd said.

Former Latin teacher Rosemary Green is doing all the costume alterations and some fabrication. Green has done costumes for many Wallowa County plays, the most demanding of which was “The Sound of Music,” she said.

The play will be performed at Providence Academy at the old Lostine school’s gym. Curtain time is 6:00 p.m. For ticket prices and information call 569-5155.