Adventure With a Capital A

Pericles

“PERICLES, PRINCE OF TYRE is among only three of Shakespeare’s plays that are labeled “romantic,” which was a synonym for “adventurous,” back in the day. And this production certainly is, with a capital A. Written around 1608, during Shakespeare’s latter, more prolific years, he created this play in the wake of some of his finest tragedies. Along with TWO NOBLE KINSMEN, the play wasn’t even originally included in Shakespeare’s First Folio, although it’s now accepted among his canon of 36 other plays. During the Bard’s own lifetime, PERICLES was one of the playwright’s most popularly produced plays, although many scholars believe that Shakespeare only composed the second half of it.

Told by a narrator who, later in the play, will become Marina, Pericles’ daughter. She launches the saga of the Prince of Tyre, which continues to unfold as a series of episodes. They’re joined together by some first-rate storytelling by the radiant and superbly articulate Rachelle Diedericks. The first adventure is reminiscent of mythology’s The Riddle of the Sphinx. In it, the Prince tries to outwit Antiochus, the King of Antioch, in order to win the hand of his beautiful daughter. He’s played with an overt comic flair by Felix Hayes. When Pericles discovers the riddle’s dark secret, however, he flees for his life before his severed head can join the others displayed on poles in the courtyard.

In the next episode we find the kind and generous Prince Navigator gifting shiploads of corn to the famine-riddled kingdom of Tarsus. However, Pericles turns down their offer of shelter when he realizes that Antiochus is still in pursuit of his life. But, as the Fates would have it, a Pericles leaves by sea, a storm drives the Prince onshore at Pentapolis. There he encounters a number of knights about to battle for the hand of Princess Thaisa (the exquisite Leah Haile), King Simonides‘ beautiful daughter. The corpulent King is played with husky humor by the delightfully talented Christian Patterson. Not only does Pericles win the tournament but he also wins the heart of the fair maiden. 

 The couple marry and are expecting their first child when news comes that Antiochus has died, making it safe now for Pericles and his bride to return to his homeland. But during a storm at sea, Thaisa gives birth to their little daughter, Marina, but then the Princess dies in childbirth. Despite Pericles‘ protests, the crew insists that his wife’s body be buried at sea. The grief-stricken Prince sails back to Tarsus. There he entrusts the care of his newborn baby to King Cleon and his Queen Dionyza, as a favor for having earlier rescued their kingdom from famine.

The years pass and the jealous Queen, reminiscent of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” hires a huntsman to take the young Marina into the forest to kill her. However, Marina is suddenly kidnapped by pirates, who sell her to a brothel in Mytilene. When Pericles returns for his daughter, Dionyza tells him that Marina has died. Unbeknownst to the Prince, not only is his daughter still alive, but his wife had been brought back to life by a medical magician named Cerimon (portrayed by the terrific Jacqueline Boatswain, who also plays the aptly named brothel madam, Bawd). Upon Cerimon’s discovery of the coffin washed ashore, she sets to work with her herbal magic. But finally, following a number of events, father, mother and daughter are joyfully reunited by the end of this exciting, romantic adventure, and they live out the remainder of their lives together in happiness.

Shakespeare’s ultimate Hero Story is like a folk tale, filled with combat, deception, love, loss, passion and, eventually justice and retribution. Good triumphs over evil and all becomes well in the world. This play features familiar elements found in many of Shakespeare’s other plays but the presentation is more reminiscent of an exciting Cecil B. DeMille movie. Tamara Harvey, co-Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-Upon-Avon, England, has lovingly directed this heroic saga. She includes all the swash and buckle of an Errol Flynn adventure film, while still featuring the passion and intrigue found in a romantic epic. Thanks to Voice and Dialect Specialist, Tess Dignan, the poetic and picturesque language is accessible and takes centerstage. As American audiences would expect, every single actor is eloquent and playfully expressive, enough to satisfy every Shakespeare devotee. But the episodic plot of PERICLES is chock-full of so many events and fascinating characters that it will speak to every theatergoer.

Each actor in the cast from the RSC brings his A-game to this production. I want to sincerely thank Chicago Shakespeare for bringing Great Britain’s premiere theatrical company back to Navy Pier. It’s been 30 years since we’ve enjoyed this talented troupe of players. In the title role, handsome stage, film and television actor Zach Wyatt gives a captivating, heartfelt and empathetic performance. As Pericles, Mr. Wyatt ages from brash, young Prince to broken, inconsolable middle-aged man, with energy, humor, grace and poignance. Lovely Leah Haile’s Thaisa is winsome, eloquent and generous, as befitting a queen. Her reunion with Pericles is tearful and heartwarming. Rachelle Diedericks wins the audience’s love and sympathy, both as the narrator of the play, and as Pericles’ ill-fated daughter, Marina. Maintaining all her dignity while fighting for her life and virtue, Ms. Diedericks is amiable and most appealing. 

Felix Hayes, playing several roles, brings much comedy to his portrayals of the smarmy and arrogant King Antiochus, the brothel procurer Pander and an unsophisticated Fisherman. Kel Matsena is a likable and nobly romantic hero as Lysimachus. Christian Patterson shines as the hilarious and kindly King Simonides, and his humorous asides are delightful. The lovely Gabby Wong brings added depth to her portrayal of the wicked and vain Queen Dionyza, and Miles  Barrow makes a nasty, conniving Boult, among his other fine characters. And kudos to Sasha Ghoshal who did a fine job stepping into the role of King Cleon, normally played by Chukwuma Omambala.

Natural fibers and other raw materials play a big role in the technical vision for the RSC’s sparse, but elegant, production. Talented and experienced Set Designer Jonathan Fensom’s scenic creation is dominated by multiple thick strands of raffia that weave their way high above the CST stage. They create a curtain upstage that separates the actors from the band of onstage musicians. Lighted with mood and radiance by Ryan Day, the stage turns into a playground for all seasons, grounded by a beautifully-crafted illuminated wooden and louvered floor. And Kinnetia Isidore’s simple, yet gorgeously designed and constructed Costumes continue the production’s emphasis of natural fibers and fabrics. Using strong colored materials, much of the apparel features artistic accents made of beads and macrame. They’re simply stunning.    

This globe-trotting adventure story, presented with a capital A, is gorgeously told. It opens with a riddle and ends with a satisfying Happily Ever After. It’s a mythic tale that features an intrepid hero at its helm with a myriad of supporting characters to challenge the Prince’s mettle. Younger audiences will enjoy all the action and conflict, while veteran audiences will revel in the play’s language, romance and strong characterizations. This is a magnificent production of one of Shakespeare’s lesser-produced plays. It’s crafted with finesse by a smart and gifted director and presented by a multitalented company of actors and theatre artists. The episodic series of events, all linked together through the character of Pericles, gives audiences a truly winning hero in a shining saga that has something for everyone. 

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented October 20-December 7 by the Royal Shakespeare Company at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre on Navy Pier.

Tickets are available by calling 312-595-5600 or by going to www.chicagoshakes.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.