REVIEW: Pericles (kind of) by Nevermind Company at The Old Red Lion 24 - 27 August 2026
“Nevermind Company is one to watch” ★★★★
The musical Pericles (kind of) follows the misadventures of a boorish king (played with panache by Michael Cowan) and the fallout of his behaviour on three women who deserve better. The story features pirate attacks, long-lost daughters, and more sea voyages than I care to mention. It is a bold undertaking for a small fringe space.
The key plot points are communicated effectively in the lyrics, so you don’t need to bring any foreknowledge. It would have been nice to see director Rafael Solimeno-Harris rise to the challenge of staging one or two of the dramatic moments more visually, particularly a jousting tournament which is skimmed over in a few lines. But no doubt his attention was focused on marshalling all the other elements which make a fully fledged, sung-though musical, with a couple of swordfights thrown in.
The music is jointly composed by Solimeno-Harris, cast member Hollie Hurrell, and musical director James Hancock-Evans, who accompanies the performers on the piano. The lyrics are never poetic and often crude, in both senses of the word. Swear words or innuendos frequently stand in for punchlines, and the tone is generally pretty frothy. As a result, the ‘feminist take’ is much more akin to a girl power takeover than a nuanced reframing, even when touching on serious themes. Still, there are some funny moments and catchy tunes.
Nevermind Company purports to explore the power of ensemble working, and Pericles (kind of) showcases that very successfully. The six-strong cast bounce off one-another for laughs, move smoothly through imaginative choreography, and multiroll across a wide range of characters. Even so, there are plenty of opportunities for individuals to shine: Hurrell is funny and committed in each of her many roles, including as an inexplicably canine pirate; Zara Stokes-Neustadt pulls off a winning tribute to Julie Andrews in the unlikely setting of a brothel; and when Anna McAuley starts singing, you wish she would never stop.
Miranda Cattermole has designed a simple, dynamic set and semi-historical costumes in a neutral palette. The effect, evocative of Greco-Roman statues, is highly professional. It is complimented by colourful lighting design from Kalila Suckley who makes much of what the Old Red Lion has to offer.
All in, Pericles (kind of) is good fun, and an impressive achievement from fledgling theatremakers. Nevermind Company is one to watch.
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Pericles (sort of) is at The Old Red Lion 24 - 27 August 2026, part of Camden Fringe and SHAKEFEST, then transferring to The Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol, on 29 August 2026.
Tickets: https://camdenfringe.com/events/pericles-kind-of/
Presented by: Nevermind Company
Book, Music & Lyrics: Hollie Hurrell, James Hancock-Evans, Rafael Solimeno-Harris
Director: Rafael Solimeno-Harris
Musical Director: James Hancock-Evans
Producer: Hollie Hurrell
Set & Costume Designer: Miranda Cattermole
Stage / Production Manager: Lydia Tricks
Lighting Designer: Kalila Suckley
Cast: Michael Cowan, Cari Griffiths, James Hancock-Evans, Hollie Hurrell, Anna McAuley,
D’Angelo Poskitt and Zara Stokes-Neustadt.
Photography: Fiona Winning
Instagram pericles_a_new_musical
TikTok: @pericles.kind.of
