Moby Dick is a story that most people asked would say they have heard of. Less would perhaps be able to give a detailed account of the tale it tells. Even less so, it seems, would be able to claim they have actually read the sprawling 700-plus-page novel. Herman Melville's novel you see seems to be highly regarded, but now, slowly but surely becoming less read in these short-attention-spanned days. So, what can a neatly brief two-hour production from Simple8 in association with Royal & Derngate do for the epic novel?
First of all, a brief synopsis to get us going. Moby Dick tells the story of Ishmael, a young sailor who joins the whaling ship Pequod, captained by the mysterious Ahab. Captain Ahab is a driven man, seeking revenge on the white whale of the title, who rudely took his leg away in a previous encounter. During the tale, we meet a likable assortment of characters, and the impressive ensemble of nine performers brings them delightfully to life to tell this tale.
Our narrator, as in the book is Ishmael, and like the book, the opening line, "
Call me Ishmael", begins the play. As Ishmael, Mark Arends is instantly likable and personable, bringing us into his, what becomes, a desperate and sad tale. Early on in his tale, he meets jobbing harpooner Queequeg after ending up sharing a bed with him at the best inn he can afford. Queequeg is played beautifully by Tom Swale, and their relationship becomes one of the highlights of the production.
Elsewhere the ensemble remains strong, with Hannah Emanuel a brisk, authoritative chief mate, Starbuck, trying her very best for the crew while trying to still placate the desperate for-revenge captain. As Captain Ahab, Guy Rhys has the drive and desperation needed for the crazed man in pursuit of revenge. All of the cast are very strong it has to be admitted, it is an excellently performed play, no question.
Jesse Jones directs with his characteristic energy, getting the very best from his performers, and the brilliantly simplistic set from Kate Bunce effectively provides via scaffolding and planks the world of
Moby Dick and the
Pequod. Elsewhere, there is some beautiful lighting from Johanna Town, so much so, that I made a mental note in my head within five minutes of the start to mention this.
So, why, at times, with all this praise, does Moby Dick slightly disappoint. A question I asked myself on a few occasions before writing this up. The best I can think of is that while it tells a good story, it is all rather gentle. It is so, so gentle at times, that I cannot help but think this is the very intent of the production. There simply is so little high drama or danger as the crew of the Pequod battle the high seas amid tornados and whales bent on plummeting the very souls of the men to the sea bed.
Maybe it is the friendliness of the sea shanties and the thought of those delightful
Fisherman's Friends that have re-popularised them for a modern audience again that makes it all feel just so friendly and safe.
Either way, danger does not permeate this production in perhaps the way some might expect of the epic tale of Moby Dick. This doesn't leave it a bad show however, I have to admit, I still really enjoyed it at times, but, no question, I left thinking, that the drama part was just a bit of a damp squid (I make no apology for that...).
Entertaining and excellently performed, but lacking in the high drama and danger that might be expected.
⭐⭐⭐
Performance reviewed: Wednesday 10th April 2024 at the Royal & Derngate (Royal), Northampton.
Moby Dick is on stage at Royal & Derngate until Saturday 13th April 2024 before touring.
For further details about the Royal & Derngate and to book tickets see their website at http://www.royalandderngate.co.uk
