Tonight was the opening preview of Beckett's Krapp's Last Tape at the Gate Theatre here in Dublin, and I have to say that I still don't quite know what to say aside from the obvious: spectacular.
I do have to preface this by saying that I have never seen a Beckett play live, so this was an overall first. The feeling you get is strange, surreal even. I found myself becoming hyper-sensitive to my surroundings. Every sound mattered. Every feeling meant something. During the performance, I found myself thinking about the time and how long the performance was, and then the overhead went out and, like a fleeting moment, it was over all too soon.
Michael Gambon owned the stage as Krapp, a 69 year old curmudgeon in the process of recording the final tape of his life. The lighting, wardrobe, and set were absolutely wonderful. The desk, specifically, lived up to my expectations.
As far as Gambon's performance was concerned: Nearly flawless. The way his tone shifted between recordings and reality was right on cue. His shuffling was appropriate and consistent; his facial expressions were priceless.
Something towards the end did specifically catch my attention, though. Krapp croaked, "begin again, begin again."
Now, if I am remembering the text correctly, the line should have been "be again, be again," so I am torn between two worlds: understanding and confusion. I have to believe that everything that happens on a stage is intentional (and I have the faith in Gambon to up hold that standard) but I also know that the Beckett Estate is not the friendliest of establishments. Adjusting Beckett simply isn't done.
After only an hour of sitting in the Gate, I found myself wanting more, needing more. I wanted to know what further pain Krapp could suffer and how his life would go on, another day without his wife.
AND WE SAW MICHAEL GAMBON AFTER THE SHOW AND IT WAS AMAZING.
THE END.
-E
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