Two Samuel Beckett Plays Reinterpreted at American Conservatory Theater

Fans of the work of Irish playwright Samuel Beckett can see the latest incarnation of his absurd dark comedy Endgame along with Play starting May 9 at the American Conservatory Theater.

Both plays star two-time Tony Award winner and A.C.T. Associate Artist Bill Irwin and will be directed by Carey Perloff.

Originally written in French and translated into English by Beckett himself, the pithy one-act tragicomedy Endgame features only four characters and takes place in stark surroundings and explores existentialist themes.

Play, another one-act minimalist melodrama, also features only four characters–one being the spotlight that shines upon the actors and educes from them speech. The other three characters, represented as urns, discuss in retrospect a stereotypical affair à la Hollywood.

Both plays can be seen in a double bill starting May 9 and running through June 3.

Zane Johnston writes about art and culture and is interested in all things literary. Send tips to @zanemone