'Street arts can be used to tell dark tales: A line of faceless Dark Wraiths tear across the field: 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

‘One of the most original expressions of theatricality I have seen. A brilliant example of how ideals and freedom encourage humanity to fight without thinking about the consequences. British group Periplum imposes vertigo, emotion & drama. A long applause was the company’s award from an emotional audience reminded of the intense moral choices in life, and the power to shout for peace rather than more war.’
La Journada, Mexico

‘This performace has a power that awakens your consciousness: one of the most impressive works ever seen at Zacatecas Festival. The play transmitted a message from heart to heart carrying a message of peace in a universal language. People’s imaginations were flying as gunpowder burnt the sky. Children screaming in happiness, hands clapping everywhere, words of wonder. 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

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

‘The Bell was undoubtedly the highlight of the first day of Malta Festival 2010, showing that even war can be beautiful. A mesmerising tale of two feuding clans at war attracted hundreds to Freedom Square Poznan, who with admiration and sometimes even with fear watched the beautiful staging. It was a feast for both eyes and ears. The beautiful play of light called forth bursts of fire or flaming torches again and again, making the spectators feel as if they had found the one great battlefield. On the other hand, an amazing score, which was sung live, was piercing, causing an additional feeling of nostalgia and wistfulness. The artists really used the space given to them, surprising the people with further twists in every corner of the square. There was a mastery in engaging the audience in what was happening. No wonder that the delighted audience applauded the British group for a long time.
Moje Miasto, Poland

‘The Bell is spectacular street theatre. On Friday & Saturday British theatre group Periplum blazed through Freedom Square. The Bell presented the devastating affect of the absurdity of war when you are trying to salvage the surviving remnants of a new, wonderful world, with large mobile structures, light flares, flags fluttering, a healthy dose of fire, and pulsating, sometimes aggressive music. Periplum specialises in outdoor spectacular performances. And that's what showed in "The Bell" – at the level of visual it really made an impression. The British succeeded in enchanting Freedom Square, to give the impression of apocalypse in the heart of the city.’
Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland

‘Performing has the power to move people from one place to another, anywhere, indoors or outdoors. This is the idea behind the work of this theatre company: to entice thousands of people to come together and cry for peace in one of the most original theatrical and effective performances in this year’s seventh International Street Theatre Festival. A spectacular show.’
IMAGEN, Mexico

‘A site-specific wonder from Periplum. The visceral quality of the performance turned the crowd into an army- It meant that you couldn't help but become involved - every sense enlivened. I found my heart pounding; the way the crowds channelled through the darkness like an amorphous mass, filled you with the sense that you were part of something bigger than yourself. When "The Bell" finally arrived in all its glory at the climactic point, radiating heat and light, it was clear to all present that something truly special had taken place. This company pushes theatre in bold new directions with such scale & ambition. Breathtaking.’
UK Fringe Review

‘The performance of “The Bell” turned Liberty Square into a burning battlefield, going beyond the formula of the street performance, reaching towards the viewer.’
Glos Wielkopolski, Poland

‘Periplum told a tale of war & peace in an explosive 45 minutes, the cast darting through awestruck spectators to do battle with giant warlords, during the interactive show in which every member of the audience had a front row seat. The eerie atmosphere bewitched a crowd of all ages. This fiery spectacle lit up the night and thrilled thousands.’
Brighton & Hove Argus

‘A stunning pyrotechnic show wowed the crowds of thousands in Alexandra Park on Friday night. A moving & beautiful spectacle’
Hastings Observer

‘An amazing, sensory piece of theatre’
East Magazine