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Disclaimer:
The reviewers' opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of TheatreLouisville.org. |
Peer Reviews Pericles A review by Kate Barry
This summer, the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival picked two shows for its summer season. Julius Caesar was the season opener, performed in Asian Kabuki-style theater, and Pericles. Now, unless you're a Shakespeare buff like myself or really in the know about Elizabethan theater, Pericles probably doesn't ring a bell. Although it may not have the reputation of plays like Romeo and Juliet or Hamlet, Pericles offers action and adventure that compares to any summer blockbuster in the movie theaters. KSF took Pericles and had some fun with it. The costumes by Michelle Bombe were simply beautiful. Each actor, except for the title character and his daughter, wore bright blue pants and shirts, and added to their costume with each part they played. These bright blue outfits gained some applause during the storm-at-sea scenes. Mixed with creative movement and long, flowing blue cloths, these scenes were crowd pleasers. Michael Tolfo performed the title role with clear and crisp diction so that, even when planes and fire trucks went by, he was able to be heard in the small theater. He was likable and easy to relate to, which made even the most unfamiliar to The Bard enjoy the show. David Bianco was another standout, very amusing as Simonides, The King of Pentapolis, and Boult, a servant. His performance was yet another instance where delivery and choices with the character were accessible to the masses. Perhaps the most interesting choice was using a musician off to the side of the stage. This setup provided a soundtrack for Shakespeare's parable about a journey. With a rugged voice, Ed Kilman belted out "No road goes on forever, unless it's going home" with such grit that Joe Cocker would be jealous. Despite bugs and noises from all sorts of automobiles, Kentucky Shakespeare Festival provides a delightful night of theater. And remember, it's free!
Pericles All performances are free. Information: (502) 637-4933 Posted July 8, 2008
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