Grabbed 'The Hammer Lane' so I could get home to write about David M. Proctor's amazing performance!
David M. Proctor deserves nothing less than a standing ovation for his convincing portrayal of Matt Cooke and his father, Clarence Cooke Sr., who can't come to terms with their inherent differences.
David M. Proctor in Grabbing the Hammer Lane: A Trucker Narrative Credit: The Hamilton Fringe Festival
If you are only going to see one play at this year’s Hamilton Fringe Festival, then make sure it’s, Grabbing the Hammer Lane: A Trucker Narrative (Hammer Lane).
Hammer Lane was written, directed and stars David M. Proctor who plays the parts of Matt Cooke and Clarence Cooke, Sr. – son and father – to a tee.
The play opens with radio disc jockey, Muddy Hook at 6:15 am. telling truckers to get ready to grab the hammer lane.
Then, we meet Matthew, or Matt, Cooke as he’s meeting his third therapist.
Matt is a complicated guy who studied philosophy at Rutgers University, but only for three semesters so he didn’t actually graduate.
He really wanted to be a Shakespearean actor and can recite lines from Othello that impress, and intimidate, anyone Matt chooses to share them with. Unfortunately, the auditions kept coming, while the paying roles did not.
That meant that like many folks, Matt eventually settled on work that paid the bills instead of following his dreams.
That turned out to be working the graveyard shift at a non-unionized warehouse where management flies by the seat of their pants while Matt establishes himself as chief arbitrator and all-round workers hero.
But truck driving seems like a better gig than working in the warehouse and between the hours on the road and the money he’s paid weekly, well, there’s just no time, or need, for auditions any more.
Matt’s a great talker, he’s intelligent and his affable personality effectively hides the rage he harbours as well as his vices.
Alternating between scenes with either Matt or his father telling the story of their lives and disagreements offers insights into the way a son-father relationships can fall apart and then almost heal.
This is an emotional play that forces the audience to examine own familial relationships, what they have been running away from and how they might find redemption for the choices that they made.
Hammer Lane is a gritty play tinged with humour that deals with rejection, separation, regret and the consequences of rage fueled choices.
Proctor flawlessly moves between characters over six scenes using the recorded voices and conversations of truckers to give him time to change costume and expertly change character.
David M. Proctor deserves nothing less than a standing ovation for his convincing portrayal of Matt and his father who cannot come to terms with their inherent differences yet who both love and adore Hattie Cooke – Matt’s mother. And, who ultimately love each other.
Hammer Lane was the Best Solo Show-Drama, Orlando Fringe 2023. Best One-Man Show, United Solo Theatre Festival NYC 2024.
It also deserves to be the Best Performance at The Hamilton Fringe Festival 2024.
Be sure to bring some kleenex!
Grabbing the Hammer Lane: A Trucker Narrative
General Admission: $14
Age Suitability: Parental Guidance (ages 13+)
Warnings: Coarse Language
Genre: Theatre—Drama, Storytelling/Solo Show
Run Time: 60 mins
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