Let’s just say this right up front: no one is sure how much of “Pericles” was actually written by Shakespeare. The majority of the play is so far from Shakespeare’s style, in fact, that many scholars believe the first two acts were written by someone else entirely — possibly George Wilkins. That Wilkins is remembered as much today for his reputation as a part-time pimp as he is for his career as a part-time dramatist tells you everything you need to know about “Pericles”’ critical reception over the last 416 years.

This Wilkins business could conceivably complicate Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s production of “Pericles,” which runs through Aug. 30 in the Audrey Stanley Grove in Santa Cruz. On the other hand, maybe not, at least if you ask Sean Keilen, head of dramaturgy for SCS and a professor

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