Photo Flash: Inside Rehearsal For the National Theatre's PERICLES

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.

Pericles launches Public Acts, the National Theatre's new national initiative to create extraordinary acts of theatre and community. The production marks the centre point of a two-year partnership, building in-depth relationships with eight organisations who deliver visionary work in their communities, together with Queen's Theatre Hornchurch. The community partners are Bromley by Bow Centre, Body & Soul, Coram, DABD, Havering Asian Social Welfare Association (HASWA), Open Age, Thames Reach and The Faith & Belief Forum.

With the full company now in rehearsal, over 260 costumes are being created for the huge Pericles company bringing to life Fly Davis' designs with hundreds of flowers and sequins. The costumes have been sourced from the NT Costume Hire Store, Queens Theatre Hornchurch, as well as purchased, borrowed and upcycled items. Behind the scenes, a stage management team of ten people are working on the production including volunteers who took part in the 16-21 programme 'How to be a Stage Manager', run by the NT Learning department. Pericles is giving them an opportunity to put into practice what they have learnt while continuing to learn alongside professionals.

Speaking in rehearsals, director Emily Lim said,

"Being in the rehearsal room with the Pericles company has been a wonderful experience. Our whole company and team have been working with incredible passion and commitment. We're really looking forward to welcoming our cameo groups into the room in these final weeks and then moving onto the Olivier Stage to bring together everyone's amazing work."

The cast includes Ashley Zhangazha, Audrey Brisson, Ayesha Dharker, Garry Robson, Kevin Harvey, Naana Agyei-Ampadu, performers recruited through our community partners and seven cameo performance groups who represent the cultural diversity of London: Ascension Eagles, Faithworks Gospel Choir, London Bulgarian Choir, Manifest Nation, The Archetype Dance Team, The Bhavanand The Youthsayers.

Written by Chris Bush, directed by NT Resident Director Emily Lim and music composed by Jim Fortune. The production is designed by Fly Davis and choreographed by Robby Graham. Lighting design is by Paule Constable, sound design by Paul Arditti and Tarek Merchant is Music Director.

Public Acts is inspired by Public Works, The Public Theater's ground-breaking programme in New York and by the visionary participatory work of other theatres across the UK over the past decades.

Supported by Arts Council England's Strategic Touring Fund, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Hertz, The Sackler Trust and Garfield Weston Foundation.

The National Theatre's Partner for Learning is Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

To book tickets visit https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/pericles

Photo Credit: James Bellorini