Krapp's Last Tape

Krapp, age 69, is in his den poring over boxes full of aging audio tapes. He has recorded one tape for each year of his life, and today he is listening to his recording from 30 years prior. Listening intently, the voice of his 39-year-old self recalls terrible incidents that are left unspoken, and beautiful encounters that the current Krapp longs to re-live. He begins to record a tape for his 69th year, declaring it to be his last, but cannot bring himself to finish it.

This short play was originally intended to be a “curtain raiser” or interlude for Beckett’s bleak and dystopian Endgame. However, this simple meditation on memory, aging and loss has its own peculiar charm, and has attracted many notable actors to its titular role. Because so much of the play is recounted via audio recordings, the script also provides ample opportunity for creative multimedia interpretations.