Krapp S Last Tape And Other Dramatic Pieces

Krapp's Last Tape, and Other Dramatic Pieces

KRAPP'S LAST TAPE is a monologue of a man who, after 30 years, plays back the autobiographical tape he had recorded on his 39th birthday. ALL THAT FALL is about the pilgrimage of an old Irish woman to meet her blind, grumbling husband at the train. In EMBERS, an old man and his wife ramble on and on. In ACT WITHOUT WORDS I, a man responds to inviting off-stage whistles only to be thrown back from the wings. ACT WITHOUT WORDS II has two men emerging from sacks tp perform corresponding motions of living.

Krapps's last tape and other dramatic pieces

Krapp's Last Tape and Other Shorter Plays

Krapp's Last Tape was first performed by Patrick Magee at the Royal Court Theatre in October 1958, and described as 'a solo, if that is the word, for one voice and two organs: one human, one mechanical. It fills few pages. It is perhaps the most original and important play of its length ever written.' (Roy Walker) The present volume brings together Krapp's Last Tape and Beckett's other shorter works or 'dramaticules' written for the stage. It will be complemented by a forthcoming Faber edition of dramatic works written for radio and screen. Arranged in chronological order of composition, these shorter plays exhibit the laconic means and compassionate ends of Beckett's dramatic vision. KRAPP 'Here I end this reel. Box - [ Pause.] - three, spool - [ Pause.] - five. [ Pause.] Perhaps my best years have gone. When there was a chance of happiness. But I wouldn't want them back. Not with the fire in me now. No, I wouldn't want them back. [ Staring motionless before him.]