Play review - "Moby Dick Rehearsed" (1955) by Orson Welles

Welles is best known for his theatre work prior to Hollywood (Mercury of the late 30s) but he did some really interesting stuff afterwards, including this. Originally written in 1955, it had a short run on Broadway in 1962. It's a terrific adaptation of the Melville novel, in the form of a late 19th century theatre troupe who are adapting the novel - which sounds a little wanky but helps set up the scene and shows Orson's love of actors and old acting; anyway, soon you forget the artifice and totally get into it. The combination of Melville, Welles and theatre result in a grand old time - you'd need to cast the part of the actor manager well, but that shouldn't be hard (its a wonderful star vehicle).