The Swan Theatre Stratford-Upon-Avon – until 21st September 2024
Reviewed by Amarjeet Singh
5*****
The eponymous Pericles, Prince of Tyre, flees home to escape death upon discovering a king’s incestuous relationship with his daughter. Along his journey, the caring Prince saves a city from famine but is then besieged by a storm. Shipwrecked, he is found by fishermen who inform him that the King of Pentapolis is holding a tournament, the prize is the hand of his daughter. Pericles wins, woos and marries the princess and once he feels it’s safe enough to return home, he sails with his pregnant wife. They are struck by another storm and tragedy ensues. What unfolds thereafter is an epic tale of love, loss, hope, faith and forgiveness.
Tamara Harvey’s RSC debut as the new co-Artistic Director is a triumph. Pericles is notoriously difficult to authentically pull off, due to the sheer scale of the story, but Harvey directs this interpretation with aplomb. This rendition is a visual and aural feast. Dynamic and dramatic, it’s an utter delight. There are some interesting choices made in this production. A slick swap of narrator brings quite a sensational reveal in the second act. The multilayering of scenes ensures that we don’t lose pace or perspective, allowing us to see how each story entwines. A pared back set enables the performers to shine and charm with hypnotic movement which elevates this from a potentially wordy and static play to an engaging and fluid sensation.
The artistic combination of movement director, Annie-Lunnette Deakin-Foster, Claire Van Kampen’s ethereal soundtrack and the musical direction of Elinor Peregrin, creates a magical and melancholy world which we become lost in. Evoking an undulating renaissance painting, the company gracefully move to enhance and emphasis the action on stage, breathing life into every scene. Combats, storms and romantic encounters are stunningly choreographed to inducing a dreamlike state during poignant moments. Costume designer Kinnetia Isidore’s sumptuous jewel and earthy coloured outfits change according to each period of the story and are indicators in themselves in what might be occurring. Lighting designer Ryan Day is able to seamlessly take us from outdoors to indoors, land and sea with a soft wash or bright spotlights. These all combine to compliment Jonathan Fensom’s sparse set, consisting of ropes, set harp like, at the back of the stage and they literally tie in, nautically, to various scenes.
The cast are incredible and collaborate to bring this story to life. Rachelle Diedericks glows. Poetic and poised, she leads the story with clarity and narrates with compassion. Christian Patterson is so reminiscent of Brian Blessed it’s a joy to hear and watch him break the fourth wall with his clever quips. His larger-than-life depiction of King Simonides, along with Felix Hayes portraying various characters, injects some perfectly timed humour. Wonderfully balancing the sadness and trauma with moments of brightness. Alfred Enoch as Pericles delivered every scene with vulnerability, consistency and honesty. A complex character, imbued with a multitude of shocking situations, Enoch portrays a likable and powerful Pericles. Effortlessly commanding the stage and the audience, he portrays a gambit of emotions authentically making us both laugh and cry when appropriate.
This production of Pericles is a mesmerising meld of music and movement, magically retelling a powerful tale. Intimately and beautifully told by an outstanding company, its truly touching and not to be missed.