DramaFeaturedLondonReview

Plexus Polaire: Moby Dick – MimeLondon, Barbican

Reviewer: Sonny Waheed

Writer: Based on the novel by Herman Melville

Director: Yngvild Aspeli

Plexis Polaire’s debut at London’s Barbican Theatre transforms Herman Melville’s maritime epic Moby Dick into a groundbreaking theatrical experience that pushes the boundaries of storytelling. This Franco-Norwegian troupe masterfully weaves together music, video projection, live acting, and life-sized puppetry to reimagine the classic tale of obsession and revenge.

At the heart of the production is Captain Ahab’s relentless pursuit of the great white whale that previously claimed his leg—a narrative told through the eyes of Ishmael, a seasoned seaman. Director Yngvild Aspeli crafts a visually stunning production that transcends traditional theatrical boundaries, creating an immersive journey into the vast, unpredictable world of maritime adventure.

The technical brilliance of the production is immediately apparent. Elisabeth Holager Lund’s ingenious set design, coupled with Xavier Lescat and Vincent Loubière’s transformative lighting, seamlessly transports the audience from solid ground to the rolling decks of the Pequod. Integrated video projections add a magical dimension, creating a breathtaking visual landscape that seems to breathe and move with the story’s emotional currents.

Puppetry becomes both the production’s greatest strength and its most intriguing challenge. The marine life and seascape scenes are nothing short of extraordinary—the moment when the Pequod is surrounded and attacked by a school of whales is a masterpiece of theatrical imagination. Intricate puppet designs capture the raw power and scale of oceanic life with remarkable precision and artistry.

However, the human character puppetry reveals some inconsistencies. The seemingly arbitrary decision to render some characters as puppets while leaving others as live actors creates an uneven dramatic texture. The puppet movements occasionally feel stilted, inadvertently creating an emotional distance between the audience and the characters’ inner worlds.

Despite these technical complexities, the production struggles to maintain narrative cohesion. The blending of puppetry and live action, while visually innovative, sometimes disrupts the story’s emotional flow. The production seems more committed to visual spectacle than to deep psychological exploration of Melville’s complex characters.

Ultimately, Plexis Polaire’s Moby Dick is a feast for the eyes—a technically brilliant, visually mesmerising interpretation that occasionally sacrifices emotional depth for theatrical innovation. It challenges traditional storytelling conventions, offering audiences a unique, if somewhat uneven, theatrical experience that will likely provoke as much discussion as admiration.

Runs until 25 January 2025

The Reviews Hub Score

A visual treat

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The Reviews Hub - London

The Reviews Hub London is under the editorship of Richard Maguire. The Reviews Hub was set up in 2007. Our mission is to provide the most in-depth, nationwide arts coverage online.

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