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Pericles (Public Acts)

A huge company of all ages from across London joined together with professional artists, to breathe new life into this classic tale in a musical version of Shakespeare’s Pericles.

A hand-drawn image of a ship at the top of a huge blue wave

Booking and details

26 — 28 August 2018
This show has now ended
The event location is

Olivier Theatre

National Theatre
South Bank
London SE1 9PX

How far must we travel to come home?

Prince Pericles has everything but understands little. When a reckless act threatens his safety, he must flee his home and take to sea. Reliant on the whims of the fates and the kindness of strangers, Pericles is driven from shore to shore.

Only by reaching the ends of the earth may he finally understand what it means to come home.

A huge company of all ages from across London join together with professional artists to breathe new life into this classic tale in a musical version on the Olivier stage.

Performed 26 — 28 August 2018 in the Olivier Theatre.

Partners

Pericles launched Public Acts, our new initiative to create extraordinary acts of theatre and community. This production marked the centre point of a two-year partnership, building in-depth relationships with eight organisations who deliver visionary work in their communities, together with our founding theatre partner Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch.

Public Acts is the National Theatre’s initiative to create extraordinary acts of theatre and community. Public Acts is inspired by Public Works, the Public Theater’s ground-breaking programme in New York.

Partners

Body & Soul, The Bromley by Bow Centre, Coram, DABD, Faith and Belief Forum, Havering Asian Social Welfare Association (HASWA), Open Age and Thames Reach.

Theatre Partner

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch

Production team

Emily Lim

Emily Lim

Director

Chris Bush

Chris Bush

Adaptor

Jim Fortune

Jim Fortune

Composer

Fly Davis

Fly Davis

Designer

Robby Graham

Robby Graham

Choreographer

Paule Constable

Paule Constable

Lighting Designer

Paul Arditti

Paul Arditti

Sound Designer

Tarek Merchant

Tarek Merchant

Music Director

Gallery

Play Video

Public Acts – Pericles

Press

★★★★★

A giddy celebration of humanity and our endless capacity for warmth, togetherness and love.

The Guardian

★★★★

An uplifting achievement.

The Independent 

★★★★

Joyous, lively and community-focussed.

The Stage

★★★★

Celebrates multicultural diversity with a zing that makes you want to dance in the aisles.

The Arts Desk

Our funders

Theatre Nation Partnerships is generously supported by Arts Council England’s Strategic Touring Fund and Garfield Weston Foundation.

Public Acts is supported by Arts Council England’s Strategic Touring Fund, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, The CareTech Charitable Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, Mosawi Foundation, The 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust and Susan Miller and Byron Grote.

Find out more about supporting our work