Without question, there is something quite magical about the SS Great Britain and to have a promenade performance on this historic ship brings its own excitement as well as challenges.
Darkstuff Productions have brought the whaling tale of the Moby Dick to life.
Following the journey of young Ishmael (Ed Browning) who joins the crew led by the formidable and crazed Captain Ahab (Sophia Mclean) obsessed with killing the elusive white whale.
The company of five: Ed Browning, Gerard Cooke, Sonal Fricker, Sophia Mclean and Amy Harris work with great commitment and conviction.
The characters are well defined and relationships develop well through the script.
The action is well directed in every available space onboard by Alison Farina, whilst Luke John Emmett enhances the glorious natural environment with an atmospheric soundscape.
The shorter scenes feel too episodic to involve moving the audience continually.
This takes significant time and subsequently the narrative is occasionally broken. However, there are some images created by the natural staging areas that are impressive and memorable.
This is a good example of site-specific work which allows a national treasure to be seen in a different way. It is unsurprising that tickets are in short supply.
However, make sure you take a jumper and sensible shoes before you set sail with this crew.
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Reviewer: Petra Schofield
Moby Dick, adapted by Phil John and Simon Harvey Williams, was a Darkstuff Productions onboard Brunel’s SS Great Britain.
