Gary Oldman makes a long-awaited return to the stage in Samuel Beckett's Krapp's Last Tape at the Royal Court Theatre, his first stage performance since the mid-1980s. The production, which Oldman also directs and designs, offers a haunting exploration of aging and regret.
A Challenging Pairing
The evening pairs Beckett's masterpiece with a new 20-minute short, Godot's To-Do List, by 19-year-old Leo Simpe-Asante. While the latter is a lively response to Beckett's Waiting for Godot, it unfortunately falls short. The setup sees Godot (Shakeel Haakim) detained in a room, forced to complete trivial tasks before meeting his friends. Despite thematic relevance, the production lacks the depth and wit of Beckett's work, making the pairing feel more like an opportunity for a young writer than a cohesive double bill.
Oldman's Performance
Oldman's Krapp is a frail, waistcoated figure surrounded by boxes of junk. His portrayal is eccentric yet restrained, avoiding the clownishness of some interpretations. The famous banana-eating scene is both funny and pitiful, highlighting an elderly man savoring a simple pleasure. The play revolves around Krapp listening to a recording from his 39th birthday on his 69th birthday, reflecting on lost love and a failed literary career. Oldman captures a fragile, wispy regret, culminating in a profoundly unsettling final moment where he stares blankly into darkness, drained of life.
Production Details
Krapp's Last Tape and Godot's To-Do List run at the Royal Court Theatre from 12 May to 30 May 2026. Tickets range from £15 to £74.50. The performance lasts 1 hour 15 minutes. The venue is located at 50-51 Sloane Square, London SW1W 8AS, with the nearest Tube station being Sloane Square.
Despite the underwhelming curtain raiser, Oldman's return is a must-see for theatre enthusiasts. Standing and Monday tickets are still available for this largely sold-out run.
