Oxford Playhouse is pleased to welcome Simple8 as they present a swashbuckling adaptation of Moby Dick, playing on the Main Stage from Tuesday 18 to Saturday 22 June.

This brand-new adaptation from Sebastian Armesto, directed by Royal & Derngate Artistic Director Jesse Jones, follows the hunt for the most famous whale on earth. Merville’s leviathan masterpiece has been ingeniously brought to life for the stage, complete with sea shanties and musical instruments played live by actor-musicians.

October, 1839. The Pequod is due to sail out of Nantucket and her skipper, one Captain Ahab, is in need of a crew. Seeking fortune and adventure, a humble schoolmaster named Ishmael ships aboard, joining a company charged with one task: to wreak revenge on the white whale that lost Ahab his leg – the infamous Moby-Dick.

The fun, fast and joyous production is brought to life by Simple8, capturing the spirit of the novel through theatrical flair and thrilling invention, embracing the original themes of Merville’s novel. Simple8 is a critically-acclaimed and award-winning theatre ensemble who specialise in creating worlds out of nothing. Previous productions include A Passage to India, Don’t Sleep There Are Snakes, and The Texas Sharpshooter.

The incredibly multi-talented ensemble of actors and actor-musicians is formed of Mark Arends (Ishmael), Jonathan Charles (Ensemble), Hannah Emanuel (Starbuck), Syreeta Kumar (Manx), Hazel Monaghan (Ensemble), James Newton (Flask), William Pennington (Stubb), and Tom Swale (Queequeg) and Guy Rhys (Captain Ahab).

Director Jesse Jones said:

“It is a great pleasure to bring together this supremely talented ensemble of performers that I can’t wait to get into the rehearsal room with. Together, as a company we will conjure the world of the play using their musical ability, dynamic physicality and powerhouse performances to breathe life into this poignant yet playful production. It will be a joy to see this production set sail on tour”.

Design of the production is by Kate Bunce, lighting by Johanna Town, and musical direction by Jonathan Charles who also serves as an ensemble cast member. Lau Batty is the Assistant Director. This production is in association with Royal & Derngate, Northampton.