The Stratford Festival Presents Unknown Shakespearean Drama 'The Adventures of Pericles'

Above: Evan Builing as Pericles, Prince of Tyre

Ever heard of Pericles? Most probably haven't. Despite its obscurity, Stratford's 2015 production of Shakespeare's The Adventures of Pericles brings this unknown masterpiece to light as an adventure centered around  love, loss and family.

Pericles, Prince of Tyre has arrived in a distant land seeking the hand of a young maiden. Before he can win her, her father the King presents him with a riddle which he either must solve or pay the cost with his life. Pericles accepts the challenge and is appalled when he unearths the King's secret incest with his own daughter. Discovering that the King will go to any length to keep his secrets hidden, Pericles flees and sets sail for home but soon after a storm comes and carries him away to other lands. Now alone and lost in the world, Pericles must find his way home while battling constant storms upon the sea and in his own heart. 

After learning that festival superstar and personal favorite of mine Evan Builing would lead the charge of this production as the daring and kindhearted Pericles, I became instantly excited. I had heard of the play before but knew nothing about it and was incredibly interested in how the play would be presented.  Builing's commanding presence and moving performance as Prince Pericles was wonderful, inviting the audience into a whole new world. Trying to compare Builing's performance this season with his incredible performance last season as Edgar in King Lear along with other Shakespearean roles is simply impossible, showing Builing's incredible versatility and love of Shakespeare. Builing's portrayal of Pericles is a performance not to be missed and he consonantly proves a force to be reckoned with both in and outside Shakespeare. Alongside Builing was Deborah Hay, playing double roles as Pericles' wife and daughter. I was at first hesitant of her playing both roles but I found that having Hay portray both was a very smart idea, and because of this the ending scene with Hay and Builing was especially beautiful and moving. These two alongside a wonderful ensemble of characters made The Adventure of Pericles a joy to watch.

Other aspects of this production were incredibly (something) but greatly enhanced the storytelling needed to pull off the production. No big sets were really used but instead only small pieces and visual effects to show the change over time or a storm at sea. Director and Stratford actor Scott Wentworth took these and many other risks in the staging of The Adventures of Pericles and every single one paid off. Elaborate scenes and flashy costumes do not always make the play, but instead it is the actors themselves, the characters they portray and their overall connection to the audience as storytellers.

Pericles has everything - adventure, drama, joy, agony, loss, love and the list goes on. Though not one of William Shakespeares more prominent works, The Adventures of Pericles proves itself to be a story about life and how those in our life can make all the difference.   

Stratford Shakespeare Festival's The Adventures of Pericles Trailer

For photos and videos of this production, visit:

http://www.stratfordfestival.ca/OnStage/productions.aspx?id=29566&prodid=57767 

OR visit the Stratford Festival YouTube Channel

For more information about the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, visit:

http://www.stratfordfestival.ca/

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