Rockaby

Summary

1990 production of Rockaby by Samuel Beckett, who had recently died, presented by Channel 4 in a series of programmes given under the banner Homage to Beckett: these included the documentary film Silence to Silence and a performance of Krapp’s Last Tape on 11 February 1990, the piece for television Eh Joe on 12 February, Footfalls on 13 February and Rockaby on 14 February.

Theatre play

Rockaby by Samuel Beckett [more information]

Play synopsis

A short, one-woman play. An old woman’s voice responds to the rhythms of her rocking chair as she meditates on the passage of her life.

Production history

First staged on 8 April 1981 at the State University of New York at Buffalo, starring Billie Whitelaw and directed by Alan Schneider. A documentary film, Rockaby, by D. A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus records the rehearsal process and first performance. This production went on to be performed at the Annex at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, and, in December 1982, at the Cottesloe, Royal National Theatre, London. Adapted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockaby.

Date of transmission

Wednesday 14 March 1990

Time

11.50pm

Channel

Channel 4

Credits

Director

Walter Asmus

Producers

Werner Somner, Alyson Wood

Playwright

Samuel Beckett

Cast

Billie Whitelaw

Additional details

Play tags

ageing

Print sources

Title

Channel 4 Weekly Press Pack, 10-16 February 1990 (Press pack)

Reference

Online via BUFVC

Linking notes

p. 31