Stephen Rea Performs Beckett's Krapp's Last Tape at Théâtre de la Ville
Stephen Rea returns to Samuel Beckett's Krapp's Last Tape, opening the Focus Irlande programme at the Théâtre de la Ville in Paris. Fifteen years after recording the voice of the younger Krapp, Rea now answers his own taped self before the magnetophone. Beckett's text presents a sixty-nine-year-old man replaying reels he has recorded since the age of twenty, a time machine contained in a drawer and a spool in which a solitary figure confronts, comments on and crosses out what he once was. Vicky Featherstone directs the monologue, performed in English with French surtitles and running one hour. The production opens the Focus Irlande at the Théâtre de la Ville and also features in the venue's selection of new shows. Performances take place at Théâtre de la Ville – Les Abbesses, 31 rue des Abbesses, 75018 Paris, near Métro Abbesses (line 12), from 3 to 7 November 2026, Tuesday to Friday at 20h and Saturday at 15h and 20h. Tickets range from 5 to 35 €.
Key facts
- Stephen Rea recorded the voice of the young Krapp fifteen years before the current performances.
- Krapp is sixty-nine years old and replays tapes he has recorded since he was twenty.
- Samuel Beckett wrote Krapp's Last Tape as a time machine contained in a drawer and a spool.
- Vicky Featherstone directs the monologue.
- The production opens the Focus Irlande at the Théâtre de la Ville.
- The performance lasts one hour and is in English with surtitles.
- Performances run from 3 to 7 November 2026 at Théâtre de la Ville – Les Abbesses, 31 rue des Abbesses, 75018 Paris.
- Showtimes are Tuesday to Friday at 20h and Saturday at 15h and 20h; tickets cost 5 to 35 €.
Entities
Artists
- Stephen Rea
- Samuel Beckett
- Vicky Featherstone
Institutions
- Théâtre de la Ville
- Théâtre de la Ville – Les Abbesses
- Focus Irlande
Locations
- Paris
- France