In 2019, Robert Sturm summoned me to talk about future projects.
- « Jean, do you know Moby Dick, the story with the white whale ? »
- « Well, as all kid I red the book and saw the movie, but this is a really long time ago, why ? ».
- « Because this is going to be our next project !. I want to make a theatrical version of the novel Moby Dick von Hermann Melville ! ».

Since all ready many moths Robert was working on the text.

The first was planned to be presented on June 2020, but because of the covid pandemic it was not possible to realise the project before 2021.
Tony Cragg made a beautiful setting for this piece.
The music would be composed by Alexander Balanescu, performed by the « Schoenberg Ensemble der HFMT Köln/Standort »Wuppertal » with Alexander Balanescu as solo violin. This Schoenberg Ensemble was conducted by Werner Dickel.

Four actors directed by Robert, and four dancers including myself who also realised the choreography.
For the dancers Robert and I thought that, Jan Minarek, Mark Sieczkarek, Edouard Kortland, and myself, all four former members of the « Pina Bausch Tanztheatre » would be a perfect cast for the Moby Dick crew.
The actors were: Luise Kinner – Bernd Kuschmann – Jörg Reimers – Pierre Siegenthaler

So in September 2021 we were finally able to present « Moby Dick », as a production by the Wuppertaler Bühnen, performed at the Riedel Communication Hall V in Wuppertal.
This was the third work with Robert. Nine more performances did follow (September, 4th., 5th., 7th., 8th., 10th., 12th., 17th. 18th., and 19th.).

I must say that I felt in love with this piece. The setting was really impressive and it was a very strong experience to perform in it.
Alexander Balanescu created a great music and the actors were perfect for their role. It is definitively not a light piece but in my opinion the story and the text dealt with a very topical subject.

A captain deeply disturbed by his destructive obsessions who leads his crew to a deadly fate… something very similar to a dictatorial ruler who leads his people into a destructive war of conquest…

Well, the piece received a very warm success and the press was very positive.

Still, due to the huge technical and logistic efforts needed and after the passing of Jan Minarek Robert decided not to restage the piece in its original version again. In 2022 at the Malkasten in Düsseldorf there was presented a “literary concert” version with the actors interpreting the texts live while sitting at tables and the orchestra and Alexander Balanescu playing the music in front of them. After the very positive reception there we are now developing new concepts for possible future performances.