Krapp’s Last Tape (Greenside, George Street) is a one-man, one-act play: Samuel Beckett’s spare, possibly at least partly autobiographical work. Beckett isn’t for everyone, and many will have heard his plays are tedious, nothing ever happens. On the surface, the paucity of spoken lines in this play might lead potential audiences to believe this is the case here.
This production of Krapp’s Last Tape doesn’t mess about with Beckett, doesn’t try to ‘characterise’ Krapp particularly, and Kevin Short plays a straight bat. There is mime to begin with: I defy you not to laugh at the opening scene. An audience member whispered, “This isn’t going to be a barrel of laughs then,” before the play began, with the old man Krapp, long grey hair dishevelled, wearing ill-fitting, food-stained clothes, and a wonderful pair of white patent leather boots, sitting at a messy desk, evidently looking for something he’s lost and frequently checking his pockets and pocket-watch. But Short’s almost silent playing out of the scene had the audience smiling and laughing instantly, through gesture, facial expression and just the sound of his breath. Perfect! The slapstick-esque routine was a masterclass and drew the audience into the story. Short’s timing was impeccable.
The use of an old-school reel-to-reel tape recorder to play — and then record — Krapp’s Last Tape was authentic and fascinating. Those familiar with older technology will appreciate the authenticity.
Present-day Krapp listens to an old recording he made years ago, reflecting on how his life was going and railing against how it has all turned out. Much of this is done with gesture and heavy sighs, but also grimaces and thumping the poor machine to stop the noise.
As with most of Beckett’s work, Krapp’s Last Tape depends more on what’s unsaid and not done than on action and lots of dialogue, and Kevin Short’s portrayal is perfectly pitched.
If you’ve not seen Beckett or Krapp’s Last Tape before — or even if you have — this is a perfect piece to give it another go. It’s a short piece, poignantly and touchingly played, giving the audience plenty to think about when they leave. Beckett is NOT boring!
