Melbourne-based actor Paul Reichstein has once again found himself in the clutches of Bell Shakespeare, and is taking to the stage with Marcus Graham in Pericles. He sat down with Garrett Bithell to talk about the play, Australia’s independent theatre scene, and his Sydney posse.

“There’s always this constant debate between the two cities, which to be honest I’ve never understood. Maybe that’s because I have a great place in both cities – I’d have no problem living in Sydney. There seems to be a stronger independent scene going on in Melbourne, but I think that might just be because the city is slightly cheaper. I don’t think that’s anyone’s fault – at least not the artists. But then I’ve seen so much great theatre in Sydney. And my network here is getting stronger – I’ve got my little posse. God bless my Sydney posse! They’re excellent.”

So says Melbourne-based Paul Reichstein, one actor who is happily transcending the hoary Sydney-Melbourne rivalry. After performing alongside Brendan Cowell in the Bell Shakespeare production of Hamlet last year, he is back in Sydney to take to the stage with Marcus Graham in Pericles, directed by John Bell. It is the first time Bell Shakespeare has staged the play, one of Shakespeare’s lesser-known works, since 1995. Its sweeping, melodramatic storyline springs from the court of King Antioch throughout the ancient Mediterranean and Asia Minor, and incorporates tragedy, incest, shipwrecks and romance. Reichstein plays Thaliard, a lord of Antioch, among other smaller roles. Graham plays the eponymous hero.

“Marcus is so wonderful,” Reichstein muses. “He seems to constantly be in head space of exploring. He questions things a lot, and goes up a level each time he does a scene. And he’s just downright lovely – a great man to work with.”

Reichstein, who was actually born in Adelaide and graduated from the Flinders Drama Centre in 2000, has indeed carved out a niche for himself as one of our most respected Shakespeare actors. “It’s the stories and the characters for me,” he says. “They’re larger than life but also represent life. And holding broad swords and things like that – it’s big theatre. It feels operatic.”

But Reichstein is also a maverick on the independent scene, having co-founded Adelaide-based contemporary performance collective The Border Project in 2006, which has generated a groundswell of excitement around the country with productions such as Highway Rock ‘N’ Roll Disaster, an irreverent fusion of theatre and rock music.

“The importance of independent theatre for me is that it’s often your only platform to have a voice,” he asserts. “It’s where we can use theatre in the way we want to use theatre. Some of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had are ones where I haven’t been paid a weekly wage – you become more passionate because you’re steering the ship.”

But sitting across from Reichstein, who blooms with energy and enthusiasm, it’s hard to imagine him ever lacking passion. It’s clear he has found his calling. “I decided I wanted to be a storyteller from an early age because I loved having stories told to me,” he remembers. “It’s my favourite thing in the world.

“Acting is the sort of job where you can never sit back. You’re constantly in a state of questioning, because you never arrive at a point of perfection. You just keep looking and playing and learning. I don’t have the movie star plans I used to as a kid – they’re just not important to me anymore. If I can tell a great story and work with great people – there’s nothing better.”

William Shakespeare’s Pericles, a production by Bell Shakespeare. Drama Theatre at Sydney Opera House until August 1. For bookings call (02) 9250 7777 or go online to www.sydneyoperahouse.com . The production then heads to the Playhouse at The Arts Centre in Melbourne from August 6 – 22. For bookings call 1300 136 166 or go online to www.ticketmaster.com.au .