Mariner Theatrical, a new company dedicated to producing works onboard ships and in buildings along the waterfront, just launched its maiden voyage with a production of Eugene O'Neill's one-act play In the Zone.
The play, which takes place in the forecastle of a ship, was appropriately performed in the sailor's quarters of the historic ship Wavertree at South Street Seaport. Audience members had a choice of watching from a seat or lying down in a bunk.
Some of the bunks had to be reserved for the actors, though, making this production truly immersive. (Though perhaps "immersive" isn't a word one wants to use when performing literally out on the water!) Andy Sowers directed the production, which featured live music by the Irish folk group Faoileán, led by Nathan Bishop.
Since sight-lines could be... challenging in this space, some of the play's stage directions were read aloud, which helped the audience to follow the story. That story, by the way, involves crew members sailing a ship full of ammunition into the war zone of the North Atlantic during the First World War. One crew member starts acting suspiciously, making the others wonder if he might be a spy and saboteur.
This is an O'Neill play, so of course there are multiple allusions to alcoholism in the piece. To help the audience get in the mood, Mariner Theatrical provided some hard cider, which was quite nice. After the performance I attended, O'Neill scholar Robert Richter gave a free talk on the dramatist's relationship to seafaring.
If you missed it, keep an eye out for Mariner Theatrical in the future. They appear to be a company to watch!
