Melbourne Reviews

Left – Max Gillies

Strangio brings a true to form Beckett play to a hauntingly empty fortyfivedownstairs stage.

With Krapp played by Gillies having to retrieve his required items from the darkness of offstage he truly sits alone with his words. 

The concept of Isolation and self imposed-isolation is explored and presented well throughout the piece. 

With a subtle and elegant lighting design by Andy Turner audiences peer in at a conflicted man attempting to navigate his own memories and self-importance.

The anguish of reviewing oneself is highly relatable, watching Krapp struggle to deal with hearing his own thoughts from a presumably merrier past is entrancing.

Great use of sound design by Darius Kedros with an always microphoned Krapp, audible even when offstage it brings the audience ever closer to the characters whirlwind of thoughts and bodily sounds.

Having Beckett's words to wield can be daunting and empowering to an actor and yet Gillies conveys a multitude of thoughts and memories with his eyes alone.

fortyfivedownstairs presents
Krapp’s Last Tape by Samuel Beckett
by Samuel Beckett

Director Laurence Strangio

Venue: fortyfivedownstairs | 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC
Dates: 2 – 14 July 2019
Tickets: $40 – $45
Bookings: 03 9662 9966 | www.fortyfivedownstairs.com

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