Writer & Director: Colm O’Grady
We are first introduced to Colm O’Grady as Buttons when he strides out onto the stage to give the pre show announcements. Delivered comically and interactively, this brief introduction gives us a clue of what is to come. Buttons, a disgraced politician, is sailing the high seas in his bathtub after a devastating flood. His only companion is a rubber ducky named ‘Lucky’ who he frequently talks to, sings to, and tries to entertain on their journey. O’Grady is very endearing to watch, he has a multitude of talents: singing, acting, playing some unusual instruments, comedy, and various circus skills that he displays throughout the show, He kept connection with the audience constantly, frequently breaking the fourth wall to interact with audience members. The show is aimed at families and O’Grady seems to possess the ‘go with the flow’ nature that is essential for children’s theatre.
The Lonesome Boatman has a serious message about climate change and how essential it is to look out for our planet so it will look out for us. Our antihero Buttons prioritised money over the planet and that is how he ended up in his current predicament. Despite the serious message, it is delivered in an entertaining way. There are some hilarious moments throughout the show as well as some very cleverly written jokes, some of which may be lost on younger children. There is a definite sense that some of the comedy in the show was written to provide entertainment to the adults in the audience and this went over the children’s heads. Peppered throughout the show are some very catchy original songs. Each song in the show is used cleverly to advance the storytelling. There are some captions throughout the show and although not essential to the storytelling overall, could be an issue for younger children.
The staging is very simple, we have Buttons’ bathtub and in front of it is a screen where images of the sea are projected. It is clever and effective. Behind the set, where the audience can’t see, the props were stored in bins to be used during the show. The use of the props and the transition between days for Buttons were for the most part, very smooth. Occasionally an item would fall, but rather ingeniously the person who would come to recover it was wearing a snorkel in an attempt to keep the illusion of being at sea. These moments particularly tickled some of the audience members. There was a larger technical malfunction towards the end that forced a short show stop. While the backstage crew were trying to fix the problem, O’Grady endeavored to keep the audience entertained by making light of the situation, chatting with audience members and leading a singalong. Such malfunctions are unfortunately a part of live theatre and this was expertly handled despite it clearly being a flustering situation.
The Lonesome Boatman is a hilarious, family friendly circus adventure with an important message. It is a piece of theatre that can be enjoyed by everyone from the very young to the not so young anymore. It’s one worth seeing while you can.
Reviewed 22nd June 2025.
