REVIEW: Moby Dick

Written by Herman Melville in 1851, this classic American novel which was adapted for the stage by Orson Welles takes independent theatre to a whole new level, as it captivates and possibly even perplexes non-scholastic audiences.

The 900-page literary classic in which the underlying themes are somewhat ambiguous and open to individual interpretation, has been truncated into a 90-minute stage play.

The story centres on Captain Ahab who, whilst aboard the Pequod on a three-year whaling expedition, is obsessively determined to avenge the white whale known as Moby Dick for biting off his leg at the knee.

Themes of revenge, friendship, duty, defiance and death resonate in this energetic production which boasts a talented cast of 10 performers led by Danny Adcock, as the cantankerous and hateful Captain Ahab.

The staging is simple but effective. Four ladders and several crates are basically the only props which transform the stage into the Pequod, as the ship voyages on her hunt for whales and the death of Moby Dick.

Humour is skilfully interwoven with drama and thankfully, a narrative by one of the main characters guides audiences through the ambiguity of the story, as the cast break into song, movement and long poetic monologues.

Clever lighting, atmospheric music, drums and loud sound effects are utilised to heighten the excitement of the action sequences with ‘the gliding demon of the seas’, but ultimately will audiences see Moby Dick on stage?

With an ounce of imagination Moby Dick will materialise in the minds of audiences as they take this doomed voyage and come to the realisation that man may be the most dangerous animal on Earth, more so than the monsters lurking beneath the sea. (MMo)

Until Aug 25. Seymour Centre, City Rd & Cleveland St. $36-$45+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.seymourcentre.com