Tri-Beckett: Three Short Plays by Samuel Beckett

In a creative exchange initiative with the North Sydney Library, Ninefold and Glorious Thing Theatre Co. (Metafour) reignite their collaborative partnership with a showing of Tri-Beckett: Three Short Plays by Samuel Beckett at the historical Don Bank Museum.

In Footfalls, a lone figure paces back and forth in an endless conversation with a memory of her mother.  Act Without Words II draws on Beckett’s dark humour as two tragic figures are goaded out of old sacks to stumble through their pointless existence. Not I, one of Beckett’s most challenging plays illuminating only the performer’s mouth, unleashes the fierce stream of consciousness of a woman who has been mute for most of her life.

Ninefold is Sydney’s only contemporary theatre ensemble working with the Suzuki Method of Actor Training, resulting in unimaginably rich performances drawing from the infamous methods of theatre director Tadashi Suzuki. Glorious Thing Theatre Co. is the presenting name for Erica J Brennan as a director, actor, writer and producer. Brennan’s work is typified by a unique and ambitious style playing between magical naturalism and just plain magic.

“Beckett’s short plays are like paintings brought to life. They demand attention and it’s practically criminal they aren’t performed more often,” said Brennan, who both co-directs and acts in this production. (ES)

Dec 6–11, 8pm/6pm. The Don Bank Museum, 6 Napier St, North Sydney. $28. Tickets & info: www.ninefoldensemble.com

BY EMILY SHEN