You go to the theatre to see great writing, acting and directing, but it is seldom that all three happen at one theatre at the same time as it did at Hull Truck theatre in the play “Moby Dick”. John Godber rises in stature with each new play he writes. This time he has tackled social history and has chosen the whaling industry set in Hull. We see reminiscing in a modern day pub with flash backs to times gone when Captain Ahab chased the legendary white whale Moby Dick off the coast of Nantucket. Godber’s direction is spot on, bringing all to life from Pip Leckenby scenery to the fronting actors. So good is the writing that the audience is drawn into the set and is unaware of what is around them as they savour the time and place.
When we come to the acting what can you say except that it is superb. Six actors move effortlessly from character to character and bring the play to life. Even the dancers Lucy Cullingford and Amy Tomson move from dance to acting and show what can be done if given the direction which brings them to life in their parts. Dicken Ashworth, as Maurice and Ahab, is first rate as he senses the part and gets all it has to offer and gives it to the audience with great skill. Now when we get to Sarah Parks, one wonders how long it is going to be before we see her taking the lead in a long running TV serial, for she has superb acting ability oozing out of every pore of her body. She plays four characters in this play and brings everyone to life with what seems little effort, but must be have taken her great talent to invent. Martin Barrass brings what seems effortless ease to his seven characters and shows what he can do to make a play come to life. Sarah Parks drifts into her four parts with what seems little effort, but one knows it takes skill to become part of a team of actors of this quality. This was great acting which those who missed this performance will regret not seeing, so rush to see the remaining days of the show if you have the chance.
This play is based on Herman Melville’s epic story of the chase for the great white whale Moby Dick which has been superbly adapted by John Godber and Nick Lane. The choreographer Lucy Cullingford should be mentioned because the dancing slips so effortlessly into the action that the dancers become actors. The atmospheric music was from 1970’s records mingled with the sound of whales to give that something extra. This was a great experience at the theatre and one wonders what John Godber will tackle next as he brings his art to higher levels. Stunning theatre. © BA
“Moby Dick” is in Hull from the 13th to the 29th of June, 2002.
