Pericles

Synopsis

Pericles is offered the chance to win the hand of King Antiochus s daughter if he can solve a riddle. However solving the riddle reveals a terrible secret about the King that puts Pericles in mortal danger and sets him off on a death-defying voyage. The story takes place in a wondrous and timeless world, on a whirlwind journey through strange kingdoms and across perilous oceans. Pericles faces ruthless tyrants and rival suitors, surviving battles and shipwrecks on the adventure of a lifetime.

Our Review:

8 July 2002

Note: The following review dates from July 2002 and this production's original run at the Roundhouse in London.

Middle Eastern design is supposedly 'in' this summer, and the RSC has captured the zeitgeist by offering a taste of the souk. From the minute you enter the Roundhouse auditorium, your senses are assaulted by the exotic fantasy concocted by director Adrian Noble and designer Peter McIntosh. The stage is awash with carpets and ornate lamps twinkle in the deepest recesses of the stage, and Shaun Davey's haunting music envelopes you, leading to the sort of entertainment extravaganza more usually associated with blockbuster musicals.

For those who have not seen this play (and that probably includes some regular Shakespeare goers), the plot is strongly redolent of an Arabian Nights' fable. Pericles wins the hand of a king's daughter, loses her in childbirth, then delivers to foster-parents (who turn out to be wicked, of course) his daughter Marina, who is c...

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Latest User Review

USER: Whatsonstage.com - 1 November 2002:

One of the best things I've ever seen at Stratford - but it was sad to see so many empty seats....

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