An ear to 'Krapp’s Last Tape'
By: Nancy Dunham
Special to The Examiner
February 25, 2009
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Brian Hemmingsen stars in "Krapp's Last Tape" at Theatre on the Run in Arlington. — Courtesy Photo
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ARLINGTON — It’s so easy to look back at your life through a filtered lens.
Perhaps that’s never truer than on birthdays when so many of us reflect on our younger selves, remembering arrogance as assertiveness and failure as disinterest as we rewrite history in such a way that we give ourselves the most favorable reviews.
But what if there’s something that forces us to face our younger selves – in all their priggishness – and won’t allow us to hide behind illusions?
That’s what powers “Krapp’s Last Tape” by Nobel Prize winning author Samuel Beckett, who is known for a host of timeless works including “Waiting for Godot.” Keegan’s rendition of the one-man play is done in stark black and white -- from set to mood – so as to keep Krapp from hiding behind self-deception during his life review.
Washington audience are fortunate to have Brian Hemmingsen, who recently played Judge Littlefield in Forum Theatre’s production of “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot,” as Krapp. What a fine job Hemmingsen does in this daunting role which requires the actor imbue his character with just a hint of comedic idiosyncrasies but still maintain his dignity. That’s difficult with such bold humor in parts of the play such as when Krapp uses his arm to sweep several metal reel-to-reel canisters from a desk and then watches with disdain as they clatter to the floor.
Beckett was clear that he did not want the doddering, 69-year old Krapp played as a buffoon or clown. Hemmingsen honors the author’s request, using his facial expressions and physical ticks to convey what words do not.
Hemmingsen’s performance is accentuated by a set, costume and even sound effects that that underscore Krapp’s complexity. Krapp is a study in black and white, wearing what appear to be once fine clothes as if to suggest Krapp was once a dandy.
But now Krapp is a withered man staring off into black – obviously symbolizing death -- on the occasion of his birthday.
Other symbolism including Krapp’s love for bananas is also quite clear.
But it’s not until Krapp listens to a tape he recorded on his 39th birthday – full of bravado and pithy revelations – that the full spectrum of Krapp’s past love, loss, joy, desperation and regret are unveiled and he reacts to them with sorrow, anger, elation and sometimes disbelief.
It’s with that grab bag of mixed emotions that Krapp starts, stops, rewinds and contemplates the messages on the tapes. And then carefully records what will be his last tape before the stage goes black.
"Krapp’s Last Tape" is not a play that presents easy answers – but it does present haunting ones.
If you go
"Krapp’s Last Tape"
Where: Theatre on the Run, 3700 South Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington
When: 8 p.m. Thursdays to Saturday, 3 p.m. Sundays until March 13
Info: $25 general admission, $20 students and seniors; 703-892-0202, ext. 2; www.keegantheatre.com
