‘Cultural work for the young is vital to avoid a brain drain’: John Godber

John Godber, left, with Natalia Cleary and Dominic Gibbons at the Stage @TheDock amphitheatre. Picture by Neil Holmes Commercial Photography

Live theatre returned to Hull yesterday with The John Godber Company’s adaptation of Moby Dick. Bobbi Hadgraft caught up with the acclaimed playwright to find out what it means for the city, and why it’s important to provide creative opportunities for local talent

One of the region’s most successful playwrights has spoken of the importance of providing cultural opportunities to young people in Hull after seeing his company’s latest production bring live theatre back to the city.

The John Godber Company’s reworking of Herman Melville’s classic novel, Moby Dick, opened last night at the stunning open air venue Stage @TheDock, which overlooks iconic visitor attraction The Deep.

Running nightly from 7pm until June 12, the fast-paced physical production of one of the greatest adventure stories ever told features a local cast and is one of the first outdoor theatre events in the UK for over a year due to Covid-19.

There are also three matinees beginning at 4pm on June 5, 9 and 12.

The adaptation by playwrights Mr Godber and Nick Lane transports audiences from what was Hull’s Central Dry Dock to the deck of Captain Ahab’s ship, the Pequod, in his catastrophic battle with the monster white whale, Moby Dick.

Stage @TheDock is seen as the ideal location for this maritime classic, and the production references Hull’s global importance as a port, its former prowess as a whaling centre and contemporary issues of conservation.

Mr Godber said: “We are genuinely excited to be working on a project that's actually real. Theatre has been dissolved for the last 14 months.

“Without culture you don't have a night time economy. I would like people to be educated here and stay here, and make their work here.

“I always thought after City of Culture, we have a responsibility to make sure that Hull remains a place that young people want to come and young people want to stay. So we don't have a brain drain and they disappear off. We want to try and keep them.

“But you only keep them if there are opportunities within the city that feed their desire to want to stay here.”

John Godber, centre, with Wykeland Group Managing Director Dominic Gibbons and Natalia Cleary, Wykeland’s Events Co-ordinator for Stage @TheDock. Picture by Neil Holmes Commercial Photography

Moby Dick is providing paid work to 20 local creatives in acting, stage management, production, education and design. The production is also working with businesses in the area.

Mr Godber said: “There's a partnership with Berts and Nibble. For matinees, you can get a takeaway high tea from Nibble, and Berts are doing a deal where you can get a ticket and a discount [on their food]. That's really important to have that sort of fusion.

“We have to mention Wykeland, the property group, who have put money into this and are driving a lot of the development in the city. We want to make this work. It's not a money-making exercise, it’s a lifting the spirit of the city exercise.”

Hull-born cast member Sophie Bevan said the opportunity to perform in her hometown was one she could not refuse.

“It keeps your brain alive and now I've got a sort of purpose again,” she said. “I can't stop saying how excited I am.”

The production, which is supported by Wykeland Group and Arts Council England, adheres to social distancing rules and has a playing time of 70 minutes with no interval.

The professional cast features actors from Sproatley, Long Riston, Hornsea, Goole, and former Wyke College students, acting alongside locally born actors who have appeared at the National Theatre in War Horse, Warner Brothers films, and who are currently in BBC Radio Four’s landmark series, The Archers.

Educational and outreach work is available digitally to accompany the production, facilitated by former students of Hull’s Archbishop Sentamu Academy, who are now studying at the prestigious Liverpool Academy for the Performing Arts, established by Sir Paul McCartney.

Hull-based Wykeland created Stage @TheDock, investing £750,000 to transform the former Central Dry Dock into an outdoor performance venue.

As the city’s only permanent new venue created for the 2017 City of Culture year, Stage @TheDock has been used for a wide range of cultural and artistic events over the past four years, including as a regular location for Freedom Festival performances.

John Godber, left, with Dominic Gibbons and Natalia Cleary. Picture by Neil Holmes Commercial Photography

Wykeland Managing Director Dominic Gibbons said: “We’re very excited to be working with The John Godber Company and the Arts Council to bring live outdoor theatre back to Hull, and there couldn’t be a more appropriate venue, overlooking the Humber and the River Hull, for this maritime epic.

“We’re delighted to be playing our part in the very welcome return of outdoor theatre. This is another example of our commitment to supporting cultural development, as well as economic investment, in our home city and wider region.”

Seating for Moby Dick is limited to allow for social distancing, so audiences are advised to book early. All tickets are priced at £20, which includes a booking fee.

In order to maintain social distancing, tickets must be bought in groups of one, two or four and will be allocated on the night. Wheelchair spaces are available.

Tickets are available via an Eventbrite link at www.thejohngodbercompany.co.uk

• Any organisation interested in booking Stage @TheDock as an outdoor venue should contact Events Co-ordinator Natalia Cleary by email on nec@wykeland.co.uk or call 01482 320968.