2023
The “Looking For Moby Dick” project was a research residency for a theatrical adaptation of Herman Melville’s novel *Moby Dick*, based on a collection of testimonies and stories from the last whalers of the Azores archipelago. A theatrical production that premiered in 2025 in Geneva. The residency consisted of collecting audio and visual testimonies from former whalers, as well as scenic and technical objects related to whaling.
This collection was integrated into the final performance.
PUBLIC ACTIVITY
The artists engaged the communities of Faial and Pico in the creative process by organizing two activities during their residency. The idea proposed by the Swiss artists was to form a theatrical reading choir, one in Faial and another in Pico, reading in Portuguese and French a section of Moby Dick—Chapter XLII—“The Whiteness of the Whale.” This collective creative work with the community culminated in two public performances on Faial and Pico during the final week of the residency, one at Ponta dos Capelinhos and the other at Lajes do Pico.
The public performance was recorded as audio material and forms part of the research and writing process for the final theatrical work.
Public performance by the theater choir near the Capelinhos Volcano, Faial
With support from the Capelo Parish Council
Public performance by the theater choir near the fishing port of Lajes do Pico.
With the support of the Whalers’ Museum
Rachel Gordy (Geneva, Switzerland). Theater and film actress.
She graduated from ESAD (Ecole supérieure d'art dramatique) in Geneva (Switzerland).
Theater performances: “An Enemy of the People” 2021, “Tout le plaisir est pour moi” 2021, “Les Misérables” 2021, “Madame De” 2020, “Louis(e)” 2020, “Le Prix du Rêve” 2019
Film appearances: “Mon Frère se Marie” 2005, “Paul s'en va” 2003, “Les petites couleurs” 2001
Television appearances: “52 minutes” 2021, “Quartier des Banques” 2017, “Zodiaque 2” 2005
Eric Devanthéry (Geneva, Switzerland) is a director, playwright, and translator.
Founder of the Utopia theater company.
Director of the Théâtre Pitoëff from 2015 to 2018.
Graduated from ESAD and the University of Geneva
(modern French, philosophy, English).
He co-founded (2016) TAMCO, Théâtre d'art moderne & contemporain Arte
He taught theater courses at the University of Geneva (2005–2008) and directed two master’s programs
He taught classes for directors in Osaka and Tokyo.
