CHICAGO—“Pericles” is one of Shakespeare’s rarely produced plays. That’s likely because it’s an uneven drama that many believe wasn’t penned by Shakespeare alone. Scholars believe that half of the work (the weakest part) was written by playwright George Wilkins and the best part was authored by Shakespeare. Its rare performances may also have something to do with its very busy plot, which entails many scene changes making smooth transitions difficult.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater hasn’t produced the play since 2014. Now, the revival of the work, which was earlier presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, is now being mounted in a joint production by the Chicago Shakespeare Theater with the RSC.
Its reincarnation is stunning. Indeed, it’s easy to see why its revival was so well received by audiences and critics alike in Stratford, and why the audience in the performance I saw recently in Chicago went wild with applause.
An Epic Journey
When Prince Pericles solves a riddle set by a neighboring king, he knows that answering the riddle could get him killed. But if he doesn’t answer correctly, he'll be killed. There’s only one way out for him: Get out of town.Fleeing, he finds himself swept away on an epic voyage in which he is chased by an assassin. He is shipwrecked, battles violent enemies, then falls in love, marries, and becomes a father. He is caught in a violent sea storm in which his wife gives birth and supposedly dies.
One wonders if Pericles, after years of agony and grief, will ever find any happiness? He’s adrift in an ocean of problems. We wonder: Will Pericles will ever see his family again and will the tides of fate ever turn in his favor?
Dazzling Designs and a Capable Cast
The fast-paced events take place against marvelous design elements. Ryan Day’s inventive and colorful lighting creates a background of haze and fog. Set designer Jonathan Fensom’s creative vision of sails suggests a ship—a flow of fabric that moves like the sea. The exotic costumes by Kinnetia Isidore bring forth images of foreign lands. These artistic creatives provide a glorious backdrop and a mystical “Arabian Nights” vibe to the production.Not only do the scenic effects of this “Pericles” transport us other times and another places, but Harvey directs with a strong bent to comedy and utilizes her terrific ensemble to provide mesmerizing performances that bring engaging characters to life.
Zach Wyatt’s compelling calm as Pericles, presents a good, innocent a man in a vicious circle of events: He’s a prince in danger; a warrior in the midst of battle; a husband, a father who despairs in the loss of his family.
Rachelle Diedericks shines with determination and heartfelt warmth in a moving portrayal of Pericles’s daughter Marina, a charming heroine who survives by outsmarting her enemies. She also narrates the story and does a great job of bringing clarity to the escalating events.
Others contribute to the extraordinary production: Leah Haile comes through in a convincing turn as Pericles’s wife, Thaisa; Christian Patterson, hilarious in a stand-up comedic routine as Simonides; and Gabby Wong, in a strong, almost brutal delivery as Dionyza.
It’s amazing what a visionary director like Harvey can do to reshape a tired, broken, and ignored Shakespearean work. The Bard would have approved and would have loved this production. So, too, will today’s audiences.
