Moby Dick

With its interdisciplinary play “Moby Dick – A reflection under climbing temperatures”, the Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern aims to produce climate-neutral theatre as well as initiate a debate on the issue of sustainability and environmental destruction.

The production mirrors the content of Herman Melville’s novel from the perspective of climate crisis. It combines the mysticism of the text with sensual dance, a musical mix of whale songs, shanties, the thundering rhythm of today’s container ships and current texts on the climate crisis, e.g. by Bruno Latour and Alana Mitchell. At the same time, the original story serves as the basis for exploring toxic masculinity and whaling as the driving force behind destructive industrialisation. The production not only addresses these topics on stage, but also behind the scenes. The Pfalztheater believes that the production’s greatest environmental challenge will be the air conditioning and heating of the rehearsal stages and performance venues, the scope of which will be investigated as part of the project.

An important aim of the project is to involve and animate a broader segment of the public. The organisers plan to accompany the performance with audience discussions as well as forums for theatre artists, and so doing, encourage a professional and civic debate.