Moby Dick at Tower Theatre
“Call me Ishmael”. Perhaps the most famous opening line in literature. Through Ishmael’s (Tony Sears) eyes – his thirst for travel and unexpected friendship with harpooner Queequeg (Femi Davies) – we embark on an iodine-rich voyage aboard the Pequod, following Captain Ahab (Nick Hall) and his crew. Co-adapted and directed by Angharad Ormond, this bold new take on Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick brings something urgent and refreshingly original to the stage.
One of the production’s most compelling aspects is the presence of the Furies: a chorus of women dressed entirely in white. They dance, chant, and haunt the crew. They personify the whales, Moby Dick and Nature itself, standing in stark contrast to the men who attempt to conquer and own what can never be possessed. This tension is what fuels the narrative and keeps the audience on edge. In that regard, the writing and choreography excel in establishing white as a symbol of the Gothic sublime: terrifying, supernatural and unknowable.
The white whale haunts Ahab, whose trauma – both formless and ever-shifting – is visualised powerfully through the Furies. Their liquid, hypnotic movements highlight the rigidity and wounded masculinity of a man who seeks vengeance against Nature, perhaps even God, rather than healing, rather than choosing the love of his family. A clever directorial touch allows us occasional glimpses of his wife and child, and his life before Moby Dick, revealing the more tender and humane side of this complex character.
Other moments of compelling storytelling and theatricality include the use of live music, the white sheets that envelop Ahab to mirror his fractured mental state, and a haunting scene in which the women mourn the sailors lost to the sea. Before setting off with Ahab and his crew, Ishmael is confronted with the grim reality of whaling life: the Furies – now wearing black – chant the names of those who perished while trying to conquer the ocean. It’s a truly spine-chilling, unforgettable moment.
Mayank Adlakha deserves special mention for his multifaceted, heart-breaking portrayal of Pip, the young Indian orphan who, like Ahab, is deeply traumatised. But unlike Ahab, Pip doesn’t seek revenge. Instead, he drifts inward, searching for “Pip”. The part of himself lost to the waves, perhaps forever.
There are times when stillness and sombre silence would have been more impactful than choreographed movements. However, this new adaptation remains a visually striking and emotionally resonant interpretation. It dares to reimagine the classic with imagination, urgency and flair.
Benedetta Mancusi
Photos: Ahmed Kamara
Moby Dick is at Tower Theatre from 2nd until 6th July 2025. For further information or to book, visit the theatre’s website here.
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