Romance, shipwrecks and jousting is coming to Ball State with the Department of Theatre and Dance production of “Pericles, Prince of Tyre,” which opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Strother Studio Theatre.
Veronica Santoyo, the vocal coach for the show, said she worked with students throughout rehearsals, which began in early January, to stay true to Shakespeare’s original work by teaching them about the unique language used in the play.
“The syntax is different from our contemporary, everyday speech, so the first task the actors have is deciphering the text,” Santoyo said. “Some words are archaic and not used anymore, and other words that Shakespeare used at his time have a different meaning to what it is today. The way he structures his phrases is not always clear to us.”
By understanding Shakespeare’s use of verse and prose throughout “Pericles, Prince of Tyre,” Santoyo said actors are able to have an insight into the “character’s intention, ways of thinking, and the directions offered to the actors from Shakespeare himself.”
Completely understanding the language as opposed to just reciting lines also gives actors more freedom when performing, Satoyo said.
In exploring his role as Pericles, Jacob Barnes, a senior acting major, described the show as “Shakespeare’s ‘Game of Thrones’” that will leave audience members “on the edge of their seats.”
Barnes also said he hopes his character’s motto on his coat of arms, “In this hope I live,” will resonate with the audience.
“I hope the audience leaves empowered with this hope and grit,” Barnes said. “Life is hard, it deals us a hand in which we might not have asked. Yet, getting up after we are knocked down speaks loads to our character. Never stop fighting for what you want. It will be hard, but anything worth having in life never comes easy. Get up, dust yourself off and march forward.”
While audience members may not be well-versed in the world of Shakespeare and the language that is used in his plays, Barnes believes that “Pericles, Prince of Tyre” will still appeal to those watching the comedic adventure unfold in the intimate atmosphere of Strother Studio Theatre.
“[Pericles] is everything one could ask for in a night at the theatre,” Barnes said. “Even if you do not have an experienced Shakespearean ear, remember Shakespeare wrote for the masses. In his time, that was the illiterate lower class. If you don't completely understand every spoken word, audiences will understand intention, and in the intention, there you find meaning.”
As the cast of “Pericles, Prince of Tyre” and its coaches continue to prepare for the play’s opening night, Santoyo said she hopes both the cast and audience enjoy their time experiencing a work of Shakespeare’s that is rarely produced.
“I want [the actors] to lose the fear that Shakespeare is so precious. They can have fun with it, and in having fun with it, the audience will to,” Santoyo said.
Contact Nicole Thomas with comments at nrthomas3@bsu.edu.
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