'Pericles' on the English stage, 1900-1984

This thesis describes British stage productions of Shakespeare's Pericles from 1900 to 1984. It is arranged in eight chapters of broadly chronological sequence but the productions are grouped with regard to their relationship with one another rather than in the exact order in which they were performed. The productions discussed, are with two exceptions, professional presentations. The exceptions are the two Maddermarket productions (1929 and 1951) which had professional direction but an amateur cast. Two other productions (Prospect 1973, and Cheek by Jowl 1984) toured abroad but were directed and staged in various locations in the United Kingdom. In addition there is in the final chapter a brief discussion of presentations of the play on radio and television. Prompt books, where available, have been used as a primary source of information. Detailed examination has been made of blocking, stage business, textual alterations and interpolations. The discussion of each production attempts to include, in addition, a balanced assessment derived from reviews and critical appraisal together with information obtained directly from actors and directors. The aim of this thesis is to provide an account of each production of the play in the present century together with some discussion of their relationship one with another. To the best of my knowledge the productions examined comprise all those presented within the terms of this thesis during the period.