One of The Guardian’s Cultural Highlights.

‘An intense nocturnal promenade, making striking use of stilts & pyrotechnics.’
The Independent

‘Arquiem is a piece crackling with dark energy & many stunning visual moments. The site is used to full advantage – Periplum prove that outdoor theatre is an appropriate medium for dark and thought-provoking work to chilling effect on the senses. Beautifully written & performed. This looks to evolve into a truly great outdoor show.’
Total Theatre

‘This promenade performance is a ballad of extraordinary visual power that moves the crowd and grabs the audience in the space of urban night-time procession, colourful mythic desire to stop time and a desire for revenge. The pulsating music, light and spectacular feats of actors explore public space and entertainment as a primal spectacle, involving the spectators as participants.’
Aktivist, Poland

‘Terrifying and beautiful at the same time, Arquiem was another outdoor performance presented by the British theatre company Periplum, leading the crowd through the old town alleys. This parade was not possible to watch passively. The journey was very colourful – Periplum Theatre is famous for its powerful and extremely spectacular performances taking place on city streets. So it was that night. Amazing music, light shows, pyrotechnics, spectacular acrobatic stunts. The show, refined in every detail, seized the crowd, which at the end of the show could decide the fate of the man defending himself against the allegations. The British artists pulled vibrant emotions from bystanders - from those gathered in Wroniecka for the performance, drawing more people as they neared the old market – the show was perfectly prepared and presented to leave no one indifferent.’
Moje Miasto, Poland

‘Ever thought of murder? You wanted to kill your mother or father? Or perhaps a brother or sweetheart? – The actors in the play "Arquiem” torment the audience with these questions echoing among the houses at Wroniecka, where a cart is pulled transporting the convict. A torch-lit procession heads towards the Old Market.
Stop! What was he to blame for, what will he lose? Flashback – the group stage a beautiful scene of first love. But this feeling is driven to crime, murder. Everything is clear. Come on! The convict is pulled onto the market, the crowds jostle him, push him. Evil spirits prophesy the end of this event. Close to the Pillory, a place many a thug has been punished, the cart becomes a symbolic gallows. – ‘Should we hang him?’ ask the actors. – ‘Yes! No!’ the audience scream. - The crowd decides! - Revealed - The last words of a condemned man who is not guilty. Tightening a noose around his neck. The actors move the action and the audience from place to place through Wroniecka and half of the Old Market with masterful text that was very funny in places.’
Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland

‘Their theatre is aggressive, provocative, they won't let the people remain indifferent. Moreover it's not only the spectators, but ordinary passers-by, as the company focuses on exploration of urban spaces and draws bystanders into their own reality. On sunday evening the procession of “Arquiem” took over the Old Market and the side streets. It's like a medieval ballad – there is the first love, and then the bad fortune that sets itself against the main characters. “Arquiem” underlines the Britishness of the artists. The performance is based on songs and the scenes are very interestingly arranged on a moving cart, often abandoned by the actors to move into the audience.’
Glos Wielkopolski, Poland

‘This time the group Periplum invited us to a promenade performance talking about love which is driven to murder. The artists once again led the audience to the spectacle, which will remain long in our memory.’
Prionet, Poland

‘The Inside Out programme opened with two stunning performances in Wimborne Minster of Arquiem, a dark folk tale presented by Brighton-based theatre company Periplum. An audience of nearly 1,500 followed the tale of a doomed young man who murders his lover and pays the ultimate price.’
Dorset For You

‘Superb drama & beautifully conceived. A powerful, atmospheric telling of the story of a youth who murdered his love. Chilling & beautiful.’
Harrogate Today

‘Arquiem is another one of Periplum Theatre Company's timeless and dramatic outdoor site-specific productions. The final image of the boy was beautiful and moving, and the crowd around me took on the mob mentality all too readily - baying for his blood with frightening conviction.’
UK Fringe Review