This production of 2 X Beckett was a huge disappointment. When I read that Play was one of the two Becketts being performed I certainly had expectations, which were, however, far from met, but one always runs this risk when one exposes oneself to a modern interpretation of Beckett.
Play is performed as the audience enters the space and although strong Afrikaans accents seep through, the actors maintain a good focus and their urn-like entrapments are impressive. But shortly after the house lights are dimmed, the performers in Play simply switch off their torches and turn around only to feature again right at the very end.
Now it is time for the massive cupcake-looking woman to launch into Happy Days, the other short play by Beckett being performed. Her performance starts promisingly, but shortly into the performance, which was more than an hour long, the actor’s mouth turned dry and she constantly stumbled over words and stuttered. This is unacceptable in a Beckett. He certainly does not require much action on stage, but complete vocal agility is non-negotiable.
I have certainly learned my lesson and will be sure to do thorough homework before I expose myself to random Beckett again.
The last performance at the National Arts Festival was on Monday, July 1.