A spectacular stage adaptation of Herman Melville's great novel about ambition, obsession and the power of nature, featuring large-scale puppetry, live action, video projection and music.
‘Thar she blows!' Yngvild Aspeli directs this 'exquisite' (New York Times) production, critically acclaimed for its ability to capture the epic scale and emotional depth of Melville's famous work, while offering a fresh, contemporary perspective on the famous tale of redemption, and one man’s ultimately fatal pursuit of the great white whale.
Featuring seven actors, fifty puppets and a whale-sized whale, Plexus Polaire's award-winning show is a expedition into the inner storms of the human heart and the unexplained mysteries of life.
Plexus Polaire is a French-Norwegian theatre company who, through the use of life-sized puppets, acting, music, light and video, develop visual worlds that bring our most buried feelings to life.
Age guidance: 12+
Running time: 85 minutes, no interval
Performed in English
Post-show talk, Fri 24 Jan
Free to same-day ticket holders. BSL-interpreted.
Presented by the Barbican
Photography credit: Christophe Raynaud de Lage
Creative team
Ticket prices
Members and Members Plus enjoy 20% off ticket prices for this show.
No booking fee. Subject to availability.
Corporate Members enjoy discounted ticket prices to this performance.
2 tickets max per booking. Subject to availability.
£10
Subject to availability.
Wheelchair spaces, free companion seats may now be booked online.
Please select the relevant preferences on the access registration page during your booking so we can provide you with the correct information and discounts.
Booking a wheelchair space:
Select a seat displaying the wheelchair user icon and then select wheelchair user ticket type. The ticket will be priced at the lowest price for that event. If you need an essential companion, please select the E icon next to the wheelchair space you have selected.
Booking essential companion tickets:
Please select at least two tickets and one of them will be automatically discounted to zero in the basket.
Booking British Sign Language or Captioned Seats:
Select seats in the area appropriate to your needs.
If you'd like to hear more about accessible events at the Barbican, sign-up to our Access newsletter.
Groups (10+)
Groups can book at a 20% discount, subject to availability. Contact [email protected] to make a group booking.
Schools
£12*, subject to availability.
Students
Save 50% on Wednesday performances, subject to availability.
Under 16’s
Save 50%, subject to availability.
*If you are a teacher or group leader planning a trip, you can receive up to £300 towards the cost of a visit to a wide variety of inspiring venues managed by the City of London Corporation. Find out more.
Booking fees
£4 booking fee per online/phone transaction.
No fee when tickets are booked in person.
Booking fees are per transaction and not per ticket. If your booking contains several events the highest booking fee will apply. The booking fee may be reduced on certain events. Members do not pay booking fees.
Theatre
Location
The Barbican Theatre is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level.
Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS
Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
We’ve plenty of places for you to relax and replenish, from coffee and cake to wood-fired pizzas and full pre-theatre menus
Mobility
Spaces for wheelchair users in the rear of the Stalls (four) and row B of the upper circle (four), both with companion seats. Row B is reached via a platform lift, and staff will be happy to help you. Seats in the back row of the Stalls are suitable for people with limited mobility.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs may be taken into the theatre – please tell us when booking, to ensure your seat has enough space. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the cloakroom staff during the performance.
Sign language
For our occasional BSL-signed performances. Stalls seats close to the signer are reserved for people with hearing impairments. Please book early and ask for these seats.
Captioned performances
These display the full text of the play on a screen as the actors speak the words. Seats with the best view of the screen are reserved for people with hearing impairments, so please book early and ask for these seats.
Audio-described performances and amplified sound
Headsets are available from the sales kiosk outside the Stalls Right entrance to the theatre
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.
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