Ethica |Samuel Beckett Theatre

Star Rating: 3/5

Ethica: Four shorts by Samuel Beckett
Review by: David O'Shaughnessy

Comprised of Play, Come and Go, Catastrophe & What Where, Sugarglass Theatre's Ethica takes four of Samuel Beckett's more popular pieces and weaves them into a grand arc examining the world through the laureate's work.

Play, arguably Beckett's most famous piece, opens the quartet and is the strongest of the four. All three actors perform strongly, nailing the brisk patter of words and swift interchanges between each other and are perfectly in sync with the accompanying lighting direction. Come and Go makes great use of the space available on the Beckett stage, each female performer hauntingly passing through the stark space. Catastrophe by contrast fills the space with movement as our menacing tyranical director goes from stage to stalls as his assistant scurries about at his every whim. The production ends with What Where, the slow shrouded players gliding through the smoke filled haze with a grim presence.

As a whole, the four pieces work well together, the growth and connection of themes in each piece mostly apparent, but there are times when Beckett's own words lead to a disconnect. Transitions kept the piece unified and fluid, while lighting and staging are used to their fullest, with each piece having its own unique design that never overpowers the performances. Overall a sound, informed showcase of Beckett's work, succinctly capturing the writers bleak outlook and stance on existentialism.

Ethica runs until Saturday June 3rd in the Samuel Beckett Theatre, with a matinee performance Saturday at 3pm. Tickets from €9 available from The Samuel Beckett Theatre Box Office on 01 - 896 2461

Story by EI Team | 09:00 | Friday 1st June 2012 | Theatre

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