A silent horror classic and a literary masterpiece are both being adapted for the theatre and will be performed on the same stage with the same ensemble cast and props.

In their most ambitions project to date, experimental theatre company Simple8 will occupy the Arcola Theatre’s Studio 2 for four months with back-to-back productions based on The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Moby-Dick.

The troupe will firstly retell the 1920 German horror classic, regarded by many as one of the most influential films of the silent era, from Tuesday to March 16, before staging Herman Melville’s novel from March 27 to May 4.

Simple8 prides itself on telling stories in the most economical way, and both shows will feature the same sets and props which have been recycled from the company’ earlier productions.

In The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, written and directed by Sebastian Armesto and Dudley Hinton, the cast of eight aim to create a fast, frenetic fairground attraction through live music and physical ingenuity.

It opens at the Arcola Theatre in Ashwin Street, Dalston, with showings at 8pm and matinees at 3pm.

n Call 020 7503 1646 or visit www.arcolatheatre.com for more information including tickets priced £17/£12 and discounts for booking both plays.