Boston Court's Modern and Surrealist Approach to Shakespeare's Pericles

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  Media and Entertainment on Sat, Sep 05th, 2026 by Los Angeles Times
      Locale: UNITED STATES

The Challenge of Pericles

Pericles occupies a strange space in the Shakespearean canon. Often categorized as a "romance" or a "late play," it is frequently dismissed by scholars and directors due to its fragmented plot and disputed authorship. The narrative is less a tight psychological drama and more an episodic odyssey, spanning decades and crossing various Mediterranean shores. It deals with themes of catastrophic loss, divine intervention, and the eventual, miraculous reunion of a broken family.

For the Boston Court, the challenge lay in transforming this sprawling narrative into a cohesive theatrical experience. According to recent reviews, the production succeeds by leaning into the play's inherent surrealism. Rather than attempting to ground the story in a rigid historical realism, the direction emphasizes the emotional truth of the voyage, treating the shifts in geography as shifts in the psyche of the characters.

The Impact of Ellen McLaughlin

Central to the production's success is the performance of Ellen McLaughlin. Known for her versatility and intensity, McLaughlin brings a grounding force to a play that can otherwise feel adrift. In a production that navigates the thin line between tragedy and fairytale, McLaughlin's portrayal provides the necessary emotional anchor.

Critics have noted that her interpretation avoids the pitfalls of melodrama, instead opting for a nuanced exploration of grief and resilience. In Pericles, the characters are often subject to the whims of the gods and the cruelty of the sea; McLaughlin's performance captures the vulnerability of a human caught in these cosmic gears, making the eventual resolution of the plot feel earned rather than merely convenient.

Artistic Direction and the Boston Court Aesthetic

The Boston Court is renowned for its intimate setting and commitment to challenging theatrical boundaries. This production of Pericles leverages that intimacy to bridge the gap between the audience and the epic scale of the story. By stripping away the excesses often associated with Shakespearean spectacles, the production focuses on the raw interpersonal dynamics of the cast.

The staging choices reflect a modern sensibility, utilizing minimal set pieces to represent the vastness of the ocean and the austerity of various royal courts. This minimalist approach forces the audience to engage more deeply with the text and the actors' performances, turning the play into a study of human endurance. The result is a production that feels timely, reflecting contemporary anxieties about displacement and the search for belonging.

Broader Implications for Classical Theater

The decision to mount Pericles in 2026 suggests a shifting trend in how classical companies approach the Shakespearean repertoire. There is an increasing desire to move beyond the "greatest hits"—such as Hamlet or Macbeth—and explore the fringes of the canon. The success of the Boston Court's venture indicates that audiences are receptive to the more experimental and episodic works of the early modern period, provided they are framed through a modern lens.

By focusing on the internal journey of the characters rather than the external logistics of the plot, the production transforms Pericles from a curiosity into a poignant reflection on the cycle of life. The synthesis of McLaughlin's commanding presence and the Boston Court's avant-garde leanings has effectively revitalized a text that has long been relegated to the academic periphery.