IT’S a story of courage, of determination and, most likely madness, featuring one man’s battle with a killer whale.

And of course, everyone knows of writer Herman Melville’s 19th century classic tale, courtesy of the 1956 movie starring Gregory Peck as the harpoon-wielding Captain Ahab.

Now, this tale Moby Dick; or The Whale, is being told at Oran Mor this week.

And to say it’s a theatrical challenge is like Ahab taking on the whale with a darning needle.

But actor Robbie Jack, who played Jacko in BBC sitcom Gary: Tank Commander, explains the story won’t have to feature a big rubber whale nor a whaling ship because it’s been distilled into it’s very essence.

“This version is all about understanding the feelings of Captain Ahab,” he says of the play, which features Harry Ward as Starbuck.

“It’s about understanding the mindset of a person who wants to kill this whale, the desire, the appreciation of why he has to do it.

“What the writer (JC Marshall, who adapted the book) has tried to do is follow the story chronologically, to let the audience understand how Ahab came to be, if not mad, then certainly seriously disturbed.”

The writer reckons few people have read Melville’s book, which makes it perfect for adaptation to the Classic Cuts season.

“I think that’s the case,” says Robbie, who plays Ishmael, the Narrator in the play, the sailor with the overview of all that’s going on.

“Everyone has seen the film but this is the actual story, and it offers the audience the chance to appreciate the richness of Melville’s language.

“It’s a chance to make the story human.”

Indeed. Melville’s writing is as dramatic as an encounter with a killer whale itself; “To sail with such a heathen crew that have small touch of human mothers in them! Whelped somewhere by the sharkish sea.”

But this Oran Mor adventure features a huge twist in whale tale. Captain Ahab, this time around, isn’t a man at all. He’s in fact a female, played by actress Meg Fraser.

“That’s right,” says Robbie, smiling.

But surely this must present the problem of sensibility? Ahab was driven by testosterone. He became demonic because he believed the whale was controlling him.

His need to conquer this creature was as much about macho pride as it was about protecting his ship. It’s a tale of revenge fuelling insanity. Surely a female would have the common sense not to have to take on such a battle to begin with? Surely a female wouldn’t possess the killing urge which drives men to hunt, often to no real end?

“Well, perhaps that is the case,” says Robbie, smiling.

“But the idea of casting a female is to take the sexuality out of the central character. We’re trying to shift expectations , to strip away the masculinity of the character.

“The idea is to go to the very heart of the desire to kill the whale. In this version, it’s not about being a man, it’s about understanding motivation. And it’s not a nod to powerful women.

“And Gareth (Nicholls, the director ) thought Meg was the best person to play Captain Ahab.”

The adaptor of the play, Glasgow-based JC Marshall is female. And no doubt read the book and reckoned Ahab could very well have been a lady.

And of course, the Oran Mor audience is used to challenging concepts.

“That’s right,” says the Lossiemouth-born actor, who has appeared in six Oran Mor plays over the years.

“They are prepared to go with you. And it will be great to see their reaction to this version of the story.”

Robbie’s six appearances is not surprising at all. The actor has continually proved himself in theatre and television.

His Tank Commander appearances and his roles in theatre plays by the likes of writer David Ireland have revealed he has an acute touch for comedy.

And of course he can readily switch to drama, as evidenced in his recent run of River City appearances.

“It’s been great to get the River City run,” he says of the seven week stint. “It’s always fun to play the gangster, and I wanted him to appear normal.

“After all, most gangsters don’t actually look the part. They come across as fairly normal on the surface. It’s what’s going on underneath that makes the creatures they are.”

Robbie is set to star in a prestigious series of Radio Four plays featuring the writing of Emile Zola.

He’ll be back in theatre in the autumn with a new production of Arthur Miller play, All My Sons.

And in October he’ll be making his comeback in Gary: Tank Commander, when the show transfers to the SECC Hydro,

“We talked about it last year, and we looked at the success of Still Game and Burnistoun going onto the stage. And it all seemed to make sense. Audiences loved the characters.

“I’m really looking forward to and it means we can go out with a bang.”

Meantime, there’s matter of a killer whale to deal with.

“That’s true,” says Robbie, grinning. “That’s the big challenge for the week ahead.”

*Moby Dick; or The Whale, Oran Mor, until Saturday.

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