the beckett project

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Programme #1 Ohio Impromptu, Play, and Eh Joe
Programme #2 features Not I, Footfalls, Act Without Words I, and Rockaby.
Programme #3 (new) Happy Days (currently in rehearsal)

Please click here for contact information to book the The Beckett Project.

The Beckett Project began in 1995 as a collaboration between UK - based director and actor - trainer, Phillip Zarrilli and American actress, Patricia Boyette. The project applies a psychophysical approach to the unique demands that Beckett's theatrical minimalism make on the actor's stamina and awareness by providing intensive training in Asian martial arts and yoga. In addition, Boyette and Zarrilli have regularly consulted with Billie Whitelaw, a close collaborator of Beckett's throughout his lifetime, and originator of a number of his female roles.

The Beckett Project opened at the Grove Theater Center, Los Angeles, in 2000 with   Ohio Impromptu, Not I, Act Without Words I and Rockaby. The evening won critical acclaim, including two major greater Los Angeles area theatre awards. T.H.McCulloh of the L.A. Times said the productions were 'like faintly recalled dream fragments, the images are subjective ... spellbinding ... presented with style and fire.' Paul Hodgins of the Orange County Register described the evening as 'spare, elliptical ... the theatrical equivalent of Japanese Noh theatre ... unexpectedly terrifying.' In 2001 The Beckett Project briefly toured the UK with performances at the Leicester Haymarket, Charter Theatre (Preston), Exeter Phoenix, Cochran Theatre (London), and Chapter Arts Centre (Cardiff).

Most recently, The Beckett Project was performed at the Granary Theatre, Cork (Ireland). It involved five Ireland - based actors with Zarrilli and Boyette in an intensive five week training and rehearsal process that culminated in performances of the four original productions, plus three additional plays - Eh Joe, Footfalls and Play. The expanded Beckett Project is a unique opportunity to see seven of Beckett's plays organized into two programmes of approximately two hour each.

The Beckett Project was performed in September 2006 at the Gilbert Hemsley Theatre, Madison/Wisconsin (USA).


A DVD-video with selected out-takes of Rockaby, Not I, Act Without Words I, and Ohio Impromtu is available on request.
A 2nd DVD-video is in preparation which will include footage from Eh Joe, Footfalls, and Play.


First production
2000
Grove Theatre
Los Angeles, USA

Director Phillip B. Zarrilli
Writer Samuel Beckett
Costumes
Light

Cast
Patricia Boyette, Peader Kirk, Phillip Zarrilli


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