Festival's opening week ends in excitement
Dazzling, breathtaking Pericles 'a must-see'
By Sharon Malvern, The Beacon Herald
Pericles may well be the hit of the 2003 Stratford season. It's a dazzling
display of superb acting, breathtaking costumes and sets and all the magic
the Festival wizards can conjure up.
Although the play was a sensational success in the early 17th century, it's
not well known in modern times. It's been considered "strange" and
"problematic," a challenge to acting companies and contemporary audiences.
But under the creative direction of Leon Rubin, this production
demonstrates what a marvellous tale Pericles really is.
The story depicts the amazing adventures of the hero, Pericles, Prince of
Tyre, whose travels take him to a number of exotic locations in the Far
East as he suffers a series of misfortunes. You'd wonder what more could
possibly happen to him. He experiences pursuit by an incestuous King who
wants him murdered, a shipwreck, the loss of both his wife and daughter,
and a prolonged absence from his kingdom which he comes close to losing.
All this sounds like the components of a Shakespearean tragedy. But it's
not. Pericles is one of the last plays Shakespeare wrote, at a time when he
turned to the world of romance and fairy tales. Although there are dark and
dangerous moments in the episodic plot, there's also a rich vein of comedy,
and a happily-ever-after ending.
Jonathan Goad excels in the role of Pericles. His emotional range is superb
as he portrays the young lover, the thoughtful ruler, the underdog warrior
in rusty armour, the grief-stricken husband and father and a Job-like
figure of suffering.
The revelation scene with Marina at the end of the play demonstrates his
skill to the utmost, as he goes from incredulity to rapture in just
moments. Now in his fourth season at Stratford, he has matured into a
leading actor, capable of handling complex and demanding roles - serious or
comic. And at times, you catch just a glimpse of Colm Feore in him.
Thom Marriott as Gower, the narrator, makes the most of his part as a
reliable "tour guide" for the audience as the action switches from one
locale to the next. His role is also that of the traditional Chorus: he
comments on the action, predicts events, and explains the characters in a
very engaging manner.
Nazneen Contractor as Marina, named for the sea that was her birthplace,
is, by turns, passionate and persuasive and delightfully funny. In addition
to her critical part in the revelation scene, which she handles with
aplomb, she stands out in her portrayal of the irritatingly virtuous virgin
in the brothel scene. Michael Therriault as Boult adds much to the
hilarity, as do Sarah McVie as the exasperated Bawd and Kyle Blair as the
Pander.
Praise is also due to Haysam Kadri, Lysimachus, whose compassion wins him
the hand of Marina; Charles Azulay, as Simonides, the King of Pentapolus;
and his daughter, Thaisa, played by the appealing Karen Ancheta; as well as
Stephen Russell's portrayal of Cleon, and his wicked wife Dionyza, by
Brigit Wilson.
And the fishermen - Robert King, Dorian Foley and Anthony Malarky - provide
witty comic relief on the shore where Pericles is cast up by the tempest.
In a way, this production is a travelogue, a journey to the seaports of a
16th-century "Arabian Nights" world. The exotic itinerary, which includes
stops at Japan, Bali, Thailand, India, Greece and North Africa, is
highlighted by gorgeous costumes in brilliant colours, many of them
bejewelled and trimmed in elaborate detail. It's a sumptuous feast for the
eyes, created by designer John Pennoyer and what must be dozens of skilled
seamstresses.
The billowing white silk through which Gower emerges in the opening scene
is transformed at times into the sails of a floundering ship, or a tent, or
a curtain on which shadowy images are projected. It's an effective backdrop
for the luxurious, often sensuous, apparel of the characters, many of whom
are princes and kings.
But the aspect of lavish spectacle in this production, spellbinding though
it is, enhances rather than competes with the theme of the play. Pericles
endures the blows of fortune, but in the end he is reunited with all that
is dear to him. Virtue, loyalty and patience trump envy, sin and even
death. And, as is the case with many travellers to foreign lands, Pericles
discovers himself in the course of the journey.
The Adventures of Pericles plays in repertory at the Festival Theatre until
Oct. 31. It's a must-see.