Coriolanus

12+ • 2h 24m

Set in the context of 1930s Fascism, Steven Berkoff's reimagining of William Shakespeare's final tragedy brings power to the masses as they turn against their ambitious leader, Coriolanus. This highly physical and meticulously choreographed production was captured live at the Globe Theatre in Tokyo. With a minimalist set design and striking use of colour and costume, Berkoff utilises the ensemble to create special effects, props and environments using movement and sounds in this politically charged adaptation.

Decadence

Guidance 12+ • 1h 22m

Steven Berkoff and Joan Collins star in this 1994 film about two couples indulging in sexual relations: Steve, a wealthy husband who’s having an affair with posh socialite Helen, and Sybil, Steve’s wife, who is sleeping with a private eye hired to kill her husband. Based on Berkoff’s original stage play, this satirical study of 1980’s Thatcherite Britain explores the divide between the upper and working classes, utilising poetic language, physicality and camera techniques to paint a damaging portrait of high society. Contains strong language, adult themes, and content that some viewers may find offensive."

East

Guidance 16+ • 1h 53m

Steven Berkoff’s witty and brutal portrayal of growing up in London’s East End follows the lives of a working-class family through stories of sex, violence, dreams and desires. This 25th-anniversary production was captured live at the Vaudeville Theatre in London. With rich poetic language that parodies Shakespeare and an explosive physicality inspired by Berkoff's training with Jacques Lecoq, East vividly brings to life the struggles of each character using mime, movement, music and humour in this “elegy for the East End and all its energetic waste”.

Metamorphosis

12+ • 1h 45m

Steven Berkoff's iconic adaptation of Franz Kafka’s novella, which tells the tale of a travelling salesman who is transformed into an insect, is brought to life in this highly physical and visually striking production. Captured live at the Parco Theater in Tokyo, this landmark performance is in Japanese with English subtitles. Considered one of Berkoff’s masterpieces and performed multiple times since it first appeared in 1969, Metamorphosis combines elements of sound, physicality and minimalist design to recreate Kafka’s absurdist world on stage.

Oedipus

Guidance All Ages • 1h 48m

Steven Berkoff brings Sophocles’ tragedy to life in this vivid retelling of the condemned King and his battle with destiny. Captured live at the Nottingham Playhouse, this dynamic adaptation conveys Oedipus' downfall through carefully constructed movements, larger-than-life expressions and a compelling ensemble performance. Drawing on inspiration from Greek tragedy and Berkoff’s training with Jacques Lecoq, the chorus drive the narrative of Oedipus’ emotional and physical journey through mime, tableaux and masks. The minimalist set, influenced by both Renaissance and modern art, provides a surreal backdrop to the building tension as Oedipus discovers the disturbing truth about his family.

Salome

12+ • 2h 19m

Steven Berkoff’s adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s lyrical drama tells the tale of the young Salome, who demands the head of an imprisoned prophet as a reward for dancing for her step-father Herod. Captured live at the Ginza Saison Theatre in Tokyo in 1992, this production stars Berkoff as Herod, the Tetrarch of Judea, who must decide whether to break his oath or give Salome everything she desires. Performed in slow-motion, this interpretation of the New Testament tale employs elements of mime and Kabuki to create a hypnotic, dream-like atmosphere. With a captivating ensemble dressed in monochrome, 1920s costume and a minimalist set design, Berkoff once again defies the conventions of naturalistic theatre with highly physical and stylised performances.

Six Actors in Search of a Director

Guidance 18+ • 1h 17m

Six actors sit in a remote hotel, waiting to be called on to a movie set. They wait, and they keep on waiting… Steven Berkoff’s slick one-act comedy explores an actor’s need for expression and the power that directors hold over their subjects.

Tell-Tale Heart & Silent Night

Guidance 12+ • 1h 13m

A dynamic double-bill, this production brings together two one-person performances written and performed by Steven Berkoff. Tell-Tale Heart is a unique interpretation of Edgar Allan Poe’s 19th Century horror story, while Silent Night considers the dark side of being alone at Christmas. Both productions feature bonus interviews with Berkoff, who looks back on his work.

The Trial

Guidance 12+ • 2h 22m

Steven Berkoff’s groundbreaking adaptation of Franz Kafka’s The Trial tells the story of Joseph K., a man accused of a crime which is never revealed to him. Captured live in Tokyo, this visually striking interpretation is based on the 1991 production at the National Theatre in London and depicts Joseph K.’s tortuous attempt to discover the truth behind his arrest. Kafka’s bleak and nightmarish world is once again brought to life by Berkoff’s distinct choreography, stark set design and use of mime. The ensemble creates an ever-changing and ambiguous environment as Joseph K., struggling against an unknown authority, begins to question his sense of self and the very meaning of being human.

They Shall Not Pass: Battle of Cable Street

Guidance 12+ • 41m

Steven Berkoff reads the dramatic text from his successful stage play based on the clash in 1936 between socialists, trade unionists, immigrants and dock workers against Oswald Mosely, 3,000 fascists and 6,000 Metropolitan Police officers on London’s Cable Street. This work achieved sold-out performances in 2019 and highlights Berkoff’s reputation as a distinctive and original voice of the East End.

West

Guidance 15+ • 1h 5m

Set in the ‘Swinging ‘60s’, Steven Berkoff’s West follows Mike in his battle with a rival gang, and his struggle to remain true to himself, despite his circumstances. Adapted for television in 1984, Berkoff’s play, inspired by ‘Beowulf’, features the same characters as East, both of which explore the difficulties of growing up in London’s working class communities.