BAM's Last Tape

Samuel Beckett was a mathematical guy. His plays are concise, his stage directions precise, he doesn’t like anyone taking any liberties with his instructions, and it’s all in the timing.  Lighting, settings, and properties are explicitly stated in his scripts. He knows exactly what he wants the audience to see and hear, and how. 

The production of Krapp’s Last Tape playing at BAM is from The Gate Theatre (Dublin) directed by Michael Colgan.  Lighting is perfect.  Setting is excellent.  John Hurt is excellent.  It is an intellectual exercise, however, not an emotional one.  Despite the analysis of the play itself in Gerry Dukes’ program notes, and his assertion that its intent was to show “regret, loss, and self-loathing,” it did not quite succeed for me.  It left me sad for the fellow, but more impressed with the technical aspects of the production and the acting than anything else. 

So closes (for me at least) the Fall 2011 Next Wave Season at BAM.  Happy Holidays to all, and I look forward to Richard III at BAM in 2012.

~ Molly Matera, closing the 2011 book – except for the next few things to squeeze in this December!