The Complete Lost Works of Samuel Beckett…
As a title, The Complete Lost Works Of Samuel Beckett As Found In An Envelope (Partially Burned) In A Dustbin In Paris Labelled ‘Never To Be Performed. Never! Ever. Ever! Or I’ll Sue! I’ll Sue From The Grave!!! makes it very easy to fulfil Hairline’s words per review quota, and my sawn off article would be of the ‘does exactly what it says in the title variety’. As, however, we are dealing with a satirical look at one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, journalistic integrity dictates that one digs a little deeper.
Two Beckett fans employ an actor and attempt to put on stage the contents of said envelope, which include Beckett’s first play (Happy Bunny and Sad Owl - written aged 6), the marvellous ‘Switch On, Switch Off’ sketch, and a scene involving a pensioner, a rocking chair and a repeating song, defining the Anything Goes As Long As It’s Funny Fringe Festival Humour definition.
Dealing with each others egos and interpreting the manuscripts to suit the show, the company is plagued by the thinly veiled ghost of the man himself, threatening legal action against them for exploiting the unseen works. One of the joys of this show is that one needs no previous knowledge of Beckett to appreciate the sideswipes at the complex plotlines and themes of despair, loneliness and self-depreciation. The other joys come simply from the show itself. Ideally conceived, perfectly executed and genuinely funny, it does exactly what it says in the title.
4/5
Simon Ferguson
