Stephen Rea gives a 'hauntingly good' (Guardian) performance in this triumphant production of Samuel Beckett's solo masterpiece about memory, loneliness and lost love.
We meet Krapp, a man in his late sixties. Every year, on his birthday, Krapp records a new tape – a review of the year just gone. But on this occasion – his 69th birthday – he listens back to a tape he recorded three decades before.
One of Samuel Beckett's greatest dramatic achievements, the work's introspective narrative and sharp wit offer a compelling reflection on our own journeys of self-discovery and the inevitable march of time.
Directed by Vicky Featherstone, the production features tapes pre-recorded by Stephen Rea (The Crying Game, V for Vendetta, The Honourable Woman) over a decade ago, allowing audiences to watch as he listens to his younger self, realising the vast chasm between the man he was and the man he has become.
“I had no certainty that one day I might play Krapp, but I thought it a good idea to pre-record the early tapes so that the voice quality would differ significantly from that of the older character, should the opportunity ever arise to use it."
Stephen Rea on Krapp's Last Tape
Running time: 55 minutes
Age guidance: 11+
Audio Desribed performance, Fri 2 May at 7pm
Audio described by Caroline Burn
Touch tour at 6pm
Post-show talk, Fri 2 May
Free to same-day ticket holders.
Presented by the Barbican.
Supported by Cultúr Éireann | Culture Ireland.
Ticket prices
Members and Members Plus enjoy 20% off ticket prices for this show.
No booking fee. Subject to availability.
Corporate Members enjoy discounted ticket prices for this show.
2 tickets max per booking. Subject to availability.
£15
Subject to availability.
Wheelchair spaces, free companion seats may now be booked online.
Please select the relevant preferences on the access registration page during your booking so we can provide you with the correct information and discounts.
Booking a wheelchair space:
Select a seat displaying the wheelchair user icon and then select wheelchair user ticket type. The ticket will be priced at the lowest price for that event. If you need an essential companion, please select the E icon next to the wheelchair space you have selected.
Booking essential companion tickets:
Please select at least two tickets and one of them will be automatically discounted to zero in the basket.
Booking British Sign Language or Captioned Seats:
Select seats in the area appropriate to your needs.
If you'd like to hear more about accessible events at the Barbican, sign-up to our Access newsletter.
Groups
Groups can book at a 20% discount, subject to availability. Contact [email protected] to make a group booking.
Schools
£12*, subject to availability.
Students
Save 50% on Wednesday performances, subject to availability.
Under 16’s
Save 50%, subject to availability.
*If you are a teacher or group leader planning a trip, you can receive up to £300 towards the cost of a visit to a wide variety of inspiring venues managed by the City of London Corporation. Find out more.
Booking fees
£4 booking fee per online/phone transaction.
No fee when tickets are booked in person.
Booking fees are per transaction and not per ticket. If your booking contains several events the highest booking fee will apply. The booking fee may be reduced on certain events. Members do not pay booking fees.
Theatre
Location
The Barbican Theatre is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level.
Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS
Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
We’ve plenty of places for you to relax and replenish, from coffee and cake to wood-fired pizzas and full pre-theatre menus
Mobility
Spaces for wheelchair users in the rear of the Stalls (four) and row B of the upper circle (four), both with companion seats. Row B is reached via a platform lift, and staff will be happy to help you. Seats in the back row of the Stalls are suitable for people with limited mobility.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs may be taken into the theatre – please tell us when booking, to ensure your seat has enough space. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the cloakroom staff during the performance.
Sign language
For our occasional BSL-signed performances. Stalls seats close to the signer are reserved for people with hearing impairments. Please book early and ask for these seats.
Captioned performances
These display the full text of the play on a screen as the actors speak the words. Seats with the best view of the screen are reserved for people with hearing impairments, so please book early and ask for these seats.
Audio-described performances and amplified sound
Headsets are available from the sales kiosk outside the Stalls Right entrance to the theatre
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.
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