A homecoming for the illustrious Gary Oldman – as he stars in the Samuel Beckett classic Krapp’s Last Tape at York Theatre Royal.
It’s Krapp’s 69th Birthday, and his only guest is his past. As he listens to a 30-year-younger version of himself, his cynicism rises as he reflects on the naivety of a life once lived.
He stumbles through the darkness of memory, and the set remains alive with suggestion – each item an untold story, a nostalgic relic for the audience to contemplate.
Krapp’s Last Tape began performances at York Theatre Royal on Monday 14 April and will run until Saturday 17 May.
As ‘Three by The Ink Spots’ played and the house lights gradually dimmed, the rising anticipation within the auditorium found solace in the darkness. Light was used as a powerful tool throughout, solitary lights hung with one primary task: to illuminate the loneliness of man.
There’s something deeply poignant about Oldman’s step back onto the York Theatre Royal stage, described as a ‘‘completion of cycle’’- a reflecting return from an actor who’s camera credits include Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Harry Potter, Slow Horses and countless others. But as he proves here, the stage never really leaves an actor and the theatre never stops calling.
Though just 55 minutes long, the play is thick with subtext often communicated in Beckett’s signature silences, which Oldman, also directing, handles with precision. Despite the bleak reality showcased by Krapp, his dark cynicism provides moments of unexpected humour, from his enthusiastic relationships with bananas to his obsessive fondness for his spools. These moments brought laughter to the captivated audience, offering a brief but welcome breath; there’s something beautiful in the comedy of tragedy.
Identity fragments over time, just as Krapp’s own health and memory do. As he plays back these haunting memories, we as observers can’t help but want to learn from him and his mistakes. Beckett’s text can also be interpreted as a personal confrontation, with a strong sense of personal anxiety, as he too navigates the reality of ageing following a triumphant career.
A one-man play demands a masterful grasp of timing and presence. Oldman excels at both allowing the audience to sit with discomfort rather than rushing to relieve it.
There is no question that Gary Oldman is one of the greatest actors of our time, but to see him stripped back raw, returning to his theatrical roots, is something truly special. Those lucky enough to hold a ticket must thank their lucky stars – may these moments feature on the highlight reels of our own lives.
There’s an overwhelming sense of ‘what could’ve been’, a torment of missed opportunity. Yet even more unsettling is the idea that given another chance, Krapp’s life may have led to the same bitter end. The arrogance, untouched by time, could have doomed him all the same.
Whilst almost all performances are completely sold out, a few tickets are still available across the run – or you can hope for a return. And if you’re lucky enough to have already secured a seat, you’re in for a masterclass of theatrical brilliance.
Krapp’s Last Tape plays at York Theatre Royal until Saturday 17 May. For more information, visit the theatre website.
