Past Event

Jan 23—28, 2024

Moby Dick

Plexus Polaire / From Norway

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“A stunning work of art”

— The New York Times

The classic story told anew in this radiant visual feast

Herman Melville’s immeasurably influential novel is brought to life in this radiant stage production featuring seven actors, fifty puppets, video projections, a drowned orchestra and a life-sized whale. Renowned director Yngvild Aspeli stages this eye-popping visual adaptation of Melville’s classic book with the help of the endlessly inventive Norwegian theater company, Plexus Polaire.

Moby Dick is, on its surface, the simple tale of a whaling expedition, but the story’s haunting themes of unparalleled obsession lead us all to question the unexplained mysteries of life and of the human heart. In this groundbreaking production, the classic is reborn with a freshness and urgency that makes it truly unforgettable.

Info

Venue

Emerson Paramount Center
Robert J. Orchard Stage
559 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02111



Dates

Jan 23, 2024 - Jan 28, 2024


Tickets

Group Sales and Season Packages on sale, based on availability. See below for information on single tickets.

Details

1 hour 25 minutes

Ages 14+

View Health Information

Access

Touch Tour on Stage
Sun, Jan 28 12:30 pm

Audio Described Performance
Sun, Jan 28 2:00 pm





Tickets
At this time, some performances of Moby Dick may appear as SOLD OUT, however, we recommend that you continue checking back as tickets may be in flux and seating may become available at a later time.

Please note that for all sold out performances, our Box Office will begin a Wait List at the Paramount Theatre starting 1 hour prior to curtain. You must be physically present at the Box Office to be added to the Wait List and when your name is called to purchase tickets.



Join the discussion




Join us immediately after the conclusion of the Friday, JAN 26 performance of Moby Dick for a discussion of the piece and an open Q&A featuring Joseph Rezek, members of the Plexus Polaire artistic team, and moderated by Trish Fontanilla.

Joseph Rezek is Associate Professor of English and Director of the American & New England Studies Program at Boston University. He teaches and publishes widely in early American and nineteenth-century American literature.

 

 

 

Trish Fontanilla is a community engagement consultant who works with social impact startups, nonprofits, and educational institutions.

Artists

Directed by

Yngvild Aspeli


Assistant director (on tour)

Benoît Seguin


Assistant director (creation)

Pierre Tual


Inspired by

Herman Melville's novel


Actors and puppeteers

Julian Spooner, Sarah Lascar, Daniel Collados, Alice Chéné, Viktor Lukawski, Maja Kunsic and Andreu Martinez Costa.


Alternating with

Alexandre Pallu, Madeleine Barosen Herholdt, Yann Claudel, Olmo Hidalgo, Cristina Iosif, Scott Koehler, Laëtitia Labre.


Music

Guro Skumsnes Moe, Ane Marthe Sørlien Holen and Havard Skaset


Puppet makers

Polina Borisova, Yngvild Aspeli, Manon Dublanc, Sébastien Puech, Elise Nicod


Scenography

Elisabeth Holager Lund


Light Designer

Xavier Lescat and Vincent Loubière


Video Designer

David Lejard-Ruffet


Costume Designer

Benjamin Moreau


Light Technicians

Vincent Loubière or Morgane Rousseau


Video Technicians

Hugo Masson, Pierre Hubert or Emilie Delforce


Sound Technicians

Raphaël Barani, Simon Masson or Damien Ory


Stage Technicians

Benjamin Dupuis, Xavier Lescat or Margot Boche


Dramaturg

Pauline Thimonnier


Production Director and Tour Booking

Claire Costa


Administration

Anne-Laure Doucet and Gaedig Bonabesse


Producer

Noémie Jorez


YngvildAspeli

Yngvild Aspeli

Artistic director of Plexus Polaire, Yngvild Aspeli, develops a visual world that brings our most buried feelings to life. The use of life-sized puppets is at the center of her work, but the actor’s performance, the presence of the music and the use of light and video are all equal elements in communicating the story. Director, actress, puppeteer and puppet-maker, Yngvild Aspeli studied at Ecole Jacques Lecoq in Paris (2003-2005) and at ESNAM (Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts de la Marionnette) in Charleville-Mézières (2005-2008). Within her French-Norwegian company Plexus Polaire, she has directed six shows: Signals (2011), Opera Opaque (2013), Ashes (2014), Chambre noire (2017), Moby Dick (2020) and Dracula (2022). She is currently working on an adaptation of A Doll’s House that will premiere in Autumn 2023.

Sponsored By:
WBZ CBS BOSTON LOCKUP BLACK

Buzz

“Gorgeous and disturbing…if there are tickets left to Moby Dick but you should try and get one as soon as possible.”

— Theater Mirror

“A transfixing display of technical virtuosity”

— The Boston Globe

“A creation of great poetic power, melancholic, visually stunning”

— UN FAUTEUIL POUR L'ORCHESTRE

“A stunning work of art”

— The New York Times

“MAGIC. The voice of the actors brings out beautiful passages from Melville’s text, the puppets bring the boat, the crew, the world of the depths to life. They are splendid, disturbing, foolish and bearers of death like Ahab.”

— SNES
May 21, 2024

Congratulations to Moby Dick and Plexus Polaire, Winner of a 2024 Elliot Norton Award!

ArtsEmerson wants to be the first to extend a huge congratulations to Plexus Polaire and their recent performance of Moby Dick, which has been awarded with the 2024 Elliot Norton...

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January 25, 2024

ArtsEmerson Announces Touch Tour for Moby Dick’s Jan. 28 Performance

ArtsEmerson is pleased to announce that Plexus Polaire will facilitate a Touch Tour on Sunday, January 28, in conjunction with our Audio Described Performance. A Touch Tour gives patrons who...

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January 21, 2024

Meet Plexus Polaire, The Troupe Behind Moby Dick!

ArtsEmerson is thrilled to be welcoming Plexus Polaire and their groundbreaking performance of Moby Dick to our stage on January 23, 2024! This show takes the classic tale of Captain Ahab...

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January 12, 2024

History of Whaling in New England

Whaling has a strong history in New England, and that isn't just because of Herman Melville's Moby Dick. Colonial whaling in New England dates back to 1644, when the first...

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December 13, 2023

The Technical Feats of Moby Dick

ArtsEmerson's first show of 2024 will present a classic tale in a way never before seen, with seven actors, fifty puppets, a drowned orchestra, and a life-sized whale. It is...

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