Review: KRAPP’S LAST TAPE, York Theatre Royal

Photo credit: Gisele Schmidt

One of Samuel Beckett’s less frequently produced plays, Krapp’s Last Tape, is about an ageing man, Krapp, reminiscing on his past. He records tapes, almost like audio diaries. We join Krapp in his cluttered attic where he listens to one of his tapes and reacts to it, before then recording a tape – based on the title, we assume probably his last one.

As a one-man play, this is set up to be a star vehicle for a major name. For York Theatre Royal’s production, this star is Gary Oldman. The production marks Oldman’s return to York and to the stage for the first time in decades. He started his career on York Theatre Royal’s stage in 1979 and since then has built an illustrious film and television career.

You might expect someone to choose a big showy role for a landmark return to the stage. However, this role is not that. This is a fairly subtle, understated role. It’s a very naturalistic play so Krapp doesn’t give massive emotional monologues constantly – in fact, besides the tape he records on stage, he says very little live on stage. Krapp’s Last Tape is so clearly a passion project for Gary Oldman and definitely not a vanity project.

Gary Oldman directs, designs and performs the show. As a performer, Oldman is utterly captivating. He doesn’t utter a word for the first 10-15 minutes of the play and during this time, you could hear a pin drop in the auditorium. He brings to life this ageing man, who is clearly a fair bit older than he is, with perfection. His physicality is very carefully considered and we fully believe we’re watching a somewhat frail elderly man in his attic. Oldman’s performance is a masterclass in acting is reacting. He lands comedic moments effortlessly whilst also showing the pain and heartache for what could have been in his past, whilst never giving an over-the-top reaction to anything.

Oldman’s set is fantastic – completely naturalistic and clearly a lot of detail has been included. However, as the show is quite dimly (but beautifully) lit by a small number of lamps – lighting design by Malcolm Rippeth – much of the set remains in darkness throughout. It would have been good to see the stage a bit more brightly lit at some points in order to appreciate to the finer details of Oldman’s set.

Tom Smith’s sound design must receive praise, as well as Gary Canale at Studio One, the voice recording sound engineer and editor, for capturing the sounds of old tape recorders and players whilst ensuring it can be heard throughout the whole auditorium. It sounds entirely authentic throughout.

Krapp’s Last Tape is a very different play to what you might expect to see a major star of the screen in, yet it still feels incredibly special to see Gary Oldman delivering an authentic and entirely captivating performance on the stage where he made his acting debut many decades ago. We can only hope that another project comes along soon that may tempt him back to the stage once again.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Jacob Bush

Krapp’s Last Tape plays at York Theatre Royal until 17 May, with further info here.