the bell

‘This performance has a power that awakens your consciousness.’
La Journada, Mexico

The Bell is a theatrical spectacle and 360-degree surround performance for audiences of up to 5,000 people. A sensory extravaganza, The Bell takes inspiration from the visceral imagery of films by Akira Kurosawa (Ran) and Andrei Tarkovsky (Andrei Rublev), creating a potent tale of hope and redemption. The show features dynamic promenade action, mobile structures, pyrotechnics, stilts, aerial performance and soaring music to explore timeless themes of war and peace in a spectacle of fire, light and humanity re-born from the ashes.

The Bell tells a simple and moving story of striving to transcend conflict and find resolution through shared struggle. The action moves around and through the audience who are in the centre of the performance space and are included through promenade movements and vocal interactions. The show features fire & pyro designed by The World Famous & delivered by Lightfires.

Funded by Arts Council England. Co-Commissioned by the National Theatre (Watch This Space), Hastings Borough Council, Made in Brighton, Winchester Hat Fair and Without Walls Street Arts Consortium. Commissioned in 2010 as La Campana by The Anglo-Mexican Foundation and Conaculta Mexico.

‘This performance has a power that awakens your consciousness: one of the most original expressions of theatricality I have seen. A brilliant example of how ideals and freedom encourage humanity to fight no matter what the consequences. A long applause was the company’s award from an emotional audience reminded of the intense moral choices in life.’
La Journada, Mexico

‘The Bell was undoubtedly the highlight of the first day of Malta International Festival. It was a feast for both eyes and ears, with beautiful staging. An amazing score was sung live. There was a mastery in engaging the public in the narrative. The delighted audience applauded for a long time. A mesmerising tale.’
Moje Miasto, Poland

‘One of the best al fresco productions of 2008.’
The Independent, UK

‘One of the most impressive works ever to visit Zacatecas International Festival. The play transmitted a message from heart to heart – a message of peace in a universal language. One of the few plays in which the audience have the opportunity to have direct contact with the artists, to feel part of the cast.’
El Sol, Mexico

‘It’s like being catapulted into the landscape of a fantasy video game, minus the control pad. The clever use of space, fire and music is augmented by a poetic text that employs the sounds and rhythms of words beautifully, working in tandem with strong physical performances. The Bell was a success – beautiful, melancholic, thought-provoking, well executed. A stupendous performance.’
Total Theatre, UK

‘Periplum successfully fuse theatrical imagination with the latest technology, with fireworks & large structures moving amongst the audience. The artists raise public awareness to a central dilemma of many times: peace or war’
Correo, Mexico

‘A breathtaking site-specific wonder from Periplum. This company pushes theatre in bold new directions with such scale & ambition. Five stars.’
Fringe Review