Krapp's
Last Tape
Playwright - Samuel Becket
Company - In Company Theatre Productions
Venue -Gateway Theatre
and then toured Scotland
Dates - 6 +7 April at 8pm Gateway Theatre then round
Scotland ended 30 April 2000
Reviewer - Annabel Ingram
Beckett is an important
part of Europe's theatrical history and education. In Krapp's Last
Tape we are brought into contact with Krapp facing his very real
mortality and taking stock of the truth of his life through the diary
tapes he has made since a young age. Russell Hunter treats us
to a masterclass in solo performance here. Any Beckett is a challenge
but this uniquely intense piece, requiring so much of the actor needs
an exceptionally fine performer. Very little monologue is actually spoken,
rather here we see a man going about his habitual routine and are invited
to make what we can of his life.
A short play at an hour, I personally felt it could have been accompanied
by another Beckett piece. The production is clean to the bone with nothing
wasted and nothing extra. The voice of the earlier Krapp from the recording
made on his 39th birthday gives us a sense of his younger vigour in
this man who is a virtual recluse and a committed alcoholic. It is not
a despairing piece though, Krapp has no desire to go back in time. He
merely is registering the truth of his memories and the real ability
to commentate on our actions at the time we make them.
An important part
of theatrical heritage in a shining performance, catch this on tour
if you can.
© Annabel Ingram 6 April 2001