Moby Dick

“Man takes this whole universe for a vast practical joke.”

Ishmael loses faith in civilisation and voyages to oceans deep to hunt the elusive white whale. But once the killing starts, he comprehends the scale of man’s misdeeds. Melville’s novel is transformed into a multimedia mock-fable that celebrates and decries the human spirit in equal measure.

Following their critically acclaimed productions of Dante’s Divine Comedy and The Fatal Eggs, So it Goes Theatre brought Moby Dick to life with immersive video design, dynamic choreography and contemporary sea-shanties.

So it Goes are a New Diorama Emerging Company (2019-20). They are a small troupe with big ideas. Their work rebuilds and modernises classic texts with untethered fun and invention.

Press for this Production

So It Goes modern take on Herman Melville’s classic novel is a triumph. Douglas Baker’s adaptation condenses the story into an action-packed 80 minutes that adds a 21st century worldview but still celebrates Melville’s prose and themes… This is a masterclass in modernising and revitalising a classic – grab a ticket while you can. ★★★★★ Fairy Powered Productions

Rather like Theatre Workshop’s Oh! What a Lovely War, the full throttle irreverence in the treatment of a deadly serious subject is a powerfully winning formula for this So it Goes Theatre production… the show miraculously manages not only to remain faithful to the essence of this literary leviathan, but to make it fresh and accessible though the inventive use of projections, Baker’s own video design and some corking sea shanties… Technically slick, the lighting, sound, music and movement coalesce to create a West End experience in miniature, overseen by Douglas Baker’s direction. This format for Moby Dick neutralises the dense 19th Century prose without losing some of its finer passages, whilst delivering quite the topical punch. ★★★★★ Spy in the Stalls

A stunning use of technology and a strong cast bring a classic to life in a smart, modern way. It’s a whale of a production – don’t let this be the one that gets away from you… there’re seriously good performances here, as well as incredibly serious take-home messages – and if you’re looking for the best way to bring a classic into contemporary times through a stunning use of digital creativity, this production is the gold standard. ★★★★ Everything Theatre

this enjoyable production is a short, sharp adaptation of Melville’s story, with a powerful and very relevant message lying in wait at the climax. It’s by turns dramatic and funny and heartbreakingly sad, and at this particular moment in our political and ecological history, it’s telling a story we all need to be listening to. Theatre Things

My hat is off to Baker who has applied some fresh and creative ideas in presenting this impenetrable novel. British Theatre Guide

the versatility of the cast is beyond question, the sea shanties sound great and Douglas Baker’s video designs intrigue and impress…it remained an evening that had something to say that is actually worth saying about man’s misdeeds affecting the oceans and their inhabitants. Reviewsgate

Nominated for BEST VIDEO DESIGN Off West End Awards

Press for Previous Productions

A mesmerising yet disconcerting, triumphant piece of theatre. ★★★★★ London Theatre 1 on Dante’s Divine Comedy

This is one of those visionary and exciting productions that proves the worth of pub theatre. ★★★★★ Reviews Hub on Dante’s Divine Comedy

An intense and riveting production. ★★★★★ London Pub Theatres on Dante’s Divine Comedy

Both provocative and shocking. ★★★★★ Remote Goat  on Dante’s Divine Comedy

Douglas Baker’s adaptation illuminates and derides at the same time with a wild sense of fun and some beautifully designed projections. ★★★★★ The Spy in the Stalls on The Fatal Eggs

visually fascinating with inventive theatricality. ★★★★ London Pub Theatres on The Fatal Eggs

A strong play that will unsettle as much as it entertains. ★★★★ Remote Goat on The Fatal Eggs

A young theatre company showing what a little imagination and risk taking can do. ★★★★ Everything Theatre on The Fatal Eggs