A Samuel Beckett classic is coming to Unity Theatre this May

Samuel Beckett’s 1958 must-see classic, Krapp’s Last Tape is coming to Unity Theatre this May for two nights only.

Graeme Phillips MBE, the much-loved Artistic Director of Unity Theatre of over thirty years, returns to Unity directing a touching yet comical production of Beckett’s ‘Krapp’s Last Tape’. Phillips says that ‘Ten years on from directing Beckett’s masterpiece, I now want to bring my experience of living with Parkinson’s Disease to the text, drawing on my personal circumstances of living with short-term memory loss’.

Not only is Phillips returning to the Unity building after many years but he is bringing one of Liverpool’s finest actors Nick Birkinshaw with him to revive the role of Krapp.

Krapp’s Last Tape tells the story of Krapp listening to old recordings from his younger self on his 69th birthday. This poignant tale of reflection and melancholy is laced with a devilish humour as our protagonist looks back on the triumphs and failures of his younger self. The short play touches on isolation, loneliness and the process of ageing.

Following the emotional and physical impact of COVID-19, the message of this tale of isolation has been said to have an even more touching impact on audiences now than it did at the time of its writing nearly 70 years ago.

Following the play, there will be a Q&A session chaired by Elinor Randle, Unity’s Artistic Director, with Graeme, Nick, a care/health sector specialist and Producer, Peter Ward – founder of That Theatre Group, a new company which produces work with and for older people living in care.

The Q&A will focus on the journey of reviving the play, and advocate for what people can do, rather than what they can’t do when living with a neurological disease and residing in care.

Ward says, “This revival has been three years in the making and was inspired by love. To see the sparkle in Graeme’s eyes during rehearsals has been a thing of beauty, quite magical.

Join the Unity Theatre for this homecoming as we explore and unpack conditions that impact so many as the years go on, doing so with honest conversation, smiles and a special production that is not to be missed.

This production is financially supported by Arts Council England, with funding in-kind provided by Green Heys Nursing Home, That Theatre Group and Unity Theatre as partner venue.