Krapp's Last Tape

Smithsonian Institution
Krapp's Last Tape
AVA19372VNB1, 1990
Featuring original staging by Nobel Prize winning playwright, Samuel Beckett, the video tells the story of Krapp, an impassioned, eccentric, recluse whose existence consists chiefly of recalling both pleasant and unpleasant memories.

[@gnikcohs]

The taped voice did sound somewhat like Vincent Price as Jrhersh80 pointed out, rich, oily and frequently condescending, even sneering. I've read that when he wrote this Beckett had not yet seen a taperecorder, only heard about them. The play is brilliant and hauntingly sad, and I want to say it's his best, but then I think no, he's wrtten other plays as good as this one. There are several other good performances on KZbin, well worth watching, I can't make up my mind which I like the best.

[@DenkyManner]

Love the negative comments saying it's done wrong, when it was directed by Beckett. Just shows how stupid humans are, and how religions cause so much trouble. God meant this! No, he meant that!

[@nightshade06]

saved me from reading this, honestly this is way better and more comprehensible

[@jrhersh80]

The voice on the tape sounds like Vincent Price.

[@thebookdoc.writing.and.editing]

Saw this guy at the Harold Clurman/Samuell Beckett theater in about 1987, I guess? I loved that theater. Closest I've ever been to living 'posh' even if I did grow up in one of the richest communities in the USA. I dined at Chez Josephine (after Josephine Baker) next door and talked with Jean Pierre while we ate caviar, then we sat in a little theater Off-off Broadway. Whitelaw, Alvin Epstein, Cluchey...I saw all of them at that little theater. I sometimes think I am off because I remember the history no one cares about. I am glad to see this.

[@MagicBreakfastBeard]

Love this version more than any other one, both because of the spot on staging and the haunting voice of Krapp on the tape.

[@paulcarbonella]

Thumbs down on Krapp bending over and farting instead of falling over

[@RobinHood3000]

@nightshade06 Given how short of a read it is, there's no real reason not to read it, too, unless you REALLY don't have 15 minutes to spare.

[@APinhert]

this play is great to read because it very much like a novel in description... but oh man do i enjoy watching the intricacies of the written play performed on stage

[@sitonmyshamrock1]

The taped Krapp is stiff. I hear a man reading from a page more than a man's emotional recollection.

[@hpurwins]

Who is the fantastic actor?

[@gavinpickering4747]

I believe this is Rick Cluchey- he has an incredible story!

[@cmdargument]

I enjoyed tempo of this performance!

[@adham3330]

This play is a full emptiness, i would love to act it, the second banana, for example, i probably would through it a side directly of the audience :)

[@germanule]

@RobinHood3000 the two are very different seeing as it was Beckett himself who did all of the choreographing and such for the performance, one is meant as an audio visual experience while the writing simply offers you beckett's words.

[@dugmcdade]

You are absolutely correct!

[@tadzo17]

Looking forward to seeing Krapp today at Longwharf with Brian Dennehy.

[@laurak1ns]

Thanks for posting this. Great!

[@visualvendetta]

sad...

[@flyfry09]

anybody else watching this taking drama at unc chapel hill?

[@blacknwhite6186]

Can some one help me, how many scenes are there in this act? or is this a one act one scene play?

[@lorrylops]

correct

[@75jdwest]

Liar! You sang!

[@uncleguike]

S/o to Rutgers

[@ericollivier1653]

It's like he's reading from a page instead of genuinely feeling Beckett's beautiful words.

[@dugmcdade]

This is the actual recording was directed by Beckett himself.