YORK company Theatre Mill are to mount a production for the first time since their Summer 2015 courtroom staging of Agatha Christie’s Witness For The Prosecution.

Yorkshire playwrights John Godber and Nick Lane's adaptation of Herman Melville's maritime tale Moby Dick will run from October 19 to November 3 in The Arctic Whalers Inn at the York Guildhall, directed by Gareth Tudor Price.

"Prophecy speaks of a great whale ship and its quest for glory," says producer Rebecca Stafford. "Braving storms and tempest tides, the crew pursue a creature as vast, dangerous and unknowable as the sea itself; a white whale of mammoth size and will. With a demonically driven sea captain at the helm, an adrenaline-fuelled chase across the oceans awaits all who volunteer to come aboard"

Theatre Mill promise an inspirational show that will be "an epic in every sense of the word". "The voyage will begin in a local fishing inn, an in-the-round interactive theatre set where a group of old fisherman meet," says Rebecca. "Featuring spectacular live music and songs of the sea, this will be a bold, exhilarating sea-faring adventure like no other."

Theatre Mill are renowned for creating community opportunities within their productions, as Rebecca explains: "People join the Theatre Mill team to learn new skills, receive professional guidance, or simply to be part of the process and make new friends. Whatever their reasons are for getting involved, one thing is certain: without them the shows wouldn't feel the same.

"I'm really excited about the opportunities available for Moby Dick: we have voluntary positions in a variety of areas, including acting, props and costume making, front of house and technical production.”

A further development for the York company is the creation of the Professional Development Awards, a paid internship scheme that offers hands-on training and development opportunities for outstanding individuals. A new award in stage management has been funded by both Theatre Mill and Arts Council England, with applications being accepted until tomorrow (October 8)

“We aim to provide opportunities which further prepare award participants for the demands that await them working in professional theatre," says Rebecca. "I feel that we're creating an authentic and challenging intensive scheme that tests individuals with the skills they need to master in their chosen field. The award comprises of three parts: the financial award, mentoring and office space. The successful applicant for the current award will be engaged fully with our upcoming production of Moby Dick”.

To request an application pack for the Professional Development Award, email Rebecca Stafford at rebecca@theatre-mill.co.uk. Tickets for Moby Dick are on sale on 01904 623 568 or at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk