Sky Arts - Salome

A drama-poem, Salome was written by Oscar Wilde mostly in 1891. Taken from the New Testament tale, Herod is so infatuated with his step-daughter Salome that he promises her on oath up to half his kingdom in return for which Salome agrees to dance for him on the occasion of his birthday.

The favour she demands in return is the head of John the Baptist. The play moves to Herod's battle to break his oath and Salome's unforgettable scene with the Baptist's head.

This is perhaps Berkoff's most famous acting and directing role. Berkoff plays Herod, and the production is performed in slow-motion, characters gliding slowly across the stage and savouring each word. Berkoff particularly wanted every bit of Wilde's opulent, elegant prose to be appreciated, and so ensured that nothing within the production including sets and costumes would detract from it. The text has centre stage.