Large multimedia fresco, with actors, puppets of all sizes and visual effects, Moby-Dick is a bold, dark and enhanced by the presence of two excellent musicians on stage.
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On display again on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Le Diamant, the production by the Franco-Norwegian company Plexus Polaire is, in its form, a show different from the usual theatrical productions.
On stage, there are actors and puppeteers who manipulate the different characters and sea creatures.
Even if there are puppets, Moby-Dick is intended for ages 14 and up. This is not a show for children. The proposal, directed by Yngvild Aspeli, is dark, with contemplative moments and some more philosophical ones. Moby-Dick is presented in French with some dialogue in English which is surtitled.
Great job
Told by Ishmael, who embarked on the ship Pequod, to get away from his dark thoughts, the production is very cinematographic. The story segments are presented at different scales and from multiple viewpoints. We find ourselves face to face with a captain Ahab who is three meters high or in front of a miniature ship that defies the waves and the immensity of an ocean.
Whale hunts take place in front of the spectator and sometimes the latter has the impression of being above the action. Aesthetics is sought after.
Some sequences are even touching, like the one where a whale killed by sailors is cut up under the eyes of a calf. The storm and final fight, including Moby Dick’s foam jets, is superbly choreographed and spectacular. The puppeteers do a great job.
Viktor Lukawski, the Canadian puppeteer who personifies Ahab, is impressive with the intonations he manages to achieve with his voice.
One of the successes of this production is undoubtedly the presence of two musicians who deliver, live, with a panoply of instruments, a soundtrack that fits the story perfectly.