Lakeboat

Synopsis

It is ship worker Dale’s first day on board the Lakeboat. The tall tale of his predecessor’s disappearance whips through the crew, as Dale discovers the insecurities of their mundane lives, her rivalries and fantastic dreams.

Our Review:

Michael Coveney - 18 April 2011

Here’s a treat: two fairly unknown David Mamet plays, both about journeys, one by sea, the other by train, produced by a new ad hoc company, Play Productions; and directed, to a very high standard, by Abbey Wright in the smaller of the two new Arcola studios.

It’s a fully justifiable case of jobs for the boys. The 60-minute Lakeboat (1970) is Mamet’s first play, drawing on his experience as a steward on a cargo ship as a student. He re-wrote it a few years later and, while it reminds you a little of [Eugene O’Neill]'s short sea plays, it definitely sounds, swears and sings like Mamet.

Mamet’s surrogate, Dale (boyish, but not very Jewish, Steven Webb), is the new cook following the hospitalisation of his predecessor. He’s inducted in the routine by a collection of old salts and regaled with tales of drinking, dry humping and failed pipe dreams.

The ship plies the Great Lakes, and Helen Goddard’s terrific broken down design of red steel inn...

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Latest User Review

Nick Stellmacher - 19 April 2011:

Saw it last night, really enjoyed it. Very atmospheric, very engaging, very good storytelling, very good scene-painting. Congratulations....

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