on the Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage
Conceived and Performed by Bill Irwin
Produced in association with Octopus Theatricals
CRITIC’S PICK! Mr. Irwin gives us PURE, ENERGIZING JOY, filled with perceptive and appealingly humble observations on bringing Beckett’s language to life. — New York Times
A beautiful show…Irwin is a truly magical artist to witness…Anyone seriously interested in the art of clowning, acting and/or appreciating Beckett’s works from those viewpoints can learn plenty from Irwin’s delightfully profound lecture-demonstration-entertainment master class. — Michael Sommers, New York Stage Review
A DELIGHT TO WATCH…a tonic effect on the viewer, reminding us that whatever else may be happening out in the world, it is our task to overcome the deadening torpor of habit and live fully. — The Wall Street Journal
A delicious piece of theater… a playful, intimate experiment conducted by a master practitioner… utterly delightful. — Sara Holdren, Vulture
The wisdom he [Bill Irwin] is serving up this summer at the Irish Rep is MANDATORY VIEWING for anyone who wants to be an actor, or a clown, or a time traveler, or a human in touch with humanity. — Stanford Friedman, Front Row Center
Mr. Irwin’s roughly 90-minute gem has returned to Irish Repertory Theatre, and it’s just as invigorating, illuminating, and charming as it was the first time. This piece brims with intuition into its subject’s writing, and it does so with a sense of joy and wonder, and of gentle mischief. — Elysa Gardner, NY Sun
For the playwright who famously postulated that we may “fail better,” Bill Irwin contemplates, clops, but never flops in this lauded reprisal.This is the gospel of Beckett according to Bill. — Kevin Phoenix, Irish Echo
Irwin’s On Beckett is A MASTER CLASS ON AND BY A MASTER. It shouldn’t be missed. —Theatermania
Irish Repertory Theatre, in association with Octopus Theatricals, is delighted to present Bill Irwin’s award-winning On Beckett for a limited summer engagement.
Bill Irwin still can’t escape Samuel Beckett. The MacArthur Fellow has spent a lifetime captivated by the Irish writer’s language. In this intimate 90-minute evening, Irwin will explore a performer’s relationship with Beckett, mining the physical and verbal skills acquired in his years as a master clown and Tony Award-winning actor. Irwin’s approach to the comic, the tragic, and every side of Beckett’s work—including Waiting for Godot, Texts for Nothing, and more—will allow audiences to experience the language in compelling new ways. Whether you’re encountering the Nobel Prize winner’s writing for the first time or building on a body of Beckett knowledge, this dynamic showcase is not to be missed.
On Beckett premiered at the Irish Repertory Theatre in 2018 to wide acclaim, winning a special Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Alternative Theatrical Experience. Previous iterations of On Beckett have been performed at the American Conservatory Theater (ACT) in San Francisco and workshopped at the Vineyard Theatre in New York and Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. Irwin recently starred in Irish Rep’s much-lauded production of Samuel Beckett’s Endgame, directed by Ciarán O’Reilly. His performance earned him nominations for the Lucille Lortel and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Outstanding Lead Performer.
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Read the performance program here!
FAQ
Q: Is this the same show as it was before?
A: Mr. Beckett’s words have stayed the same, and Bill Irwin’s reflections have evolved with his years.
A show that’s theatrical and educational all at once…4.5 OUT OF 5 STARS. — the100wordreview
Utterly captivating…On Beckett is both a love letter and an illuminating lecture…HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. — Interludes
Bill Irwin’s devotion is so absolute…If you love Beckett’s work, there’s probably no one you’d rather have perform it than Bill Irwin.
— Marc Miller, Talkin’ Broadway
MUST SEE theater. — Backstage Pass