JACK MACGOWRAN IN THE
WORKS OF SAMUEL BECKETT [Dramatic Anthology/Irish/Solo] A: Samuel Beckett;
AD: Jack MacGowran; D: Alan Schneider; S: Ming Cho Lee; C: Theoni V. Aldredge; L: Martin
Aronstein; P: New York Shakespeare Festival; T: Public Theater/Estelle R. Newman
Theatre (OB); 11/19/70-1/21/71 (67)
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| Jack MacGowran. |
A brilliantly acted program, created with Samuel Beckett’s assistance, in which the renowned Irish actor Jack MacGowran performed selections from a wide assortment of the writer’s work. Included were passages from the novels, poetry, and drama, such as Waiting for Godot, Endgame, Malone Dies, Molloy, and Cascando. The overriding theme seemed to be Beckett’s ever-present notion that, despite all of life’s hardships, we will go on living it, facing up to our daily share of triumph and disaster.
Mel Gussow called MacGowran “the quintessential Beckett
actor,” and the evening . . . pure and perfect.” “It is an exact meeting of
actor and role such as one seldom finds in a play and almost never finds in a
one-man show.”
MacGowran wore a soiled, tattered overcoat, no socks, and a
stubbly beard and haircut, giving the impression of a true Beckettian tramp. “Not
a clown, but a man reduced by life and forced to go on living.” Richard Watts
reported on the actor’s “splendid speaking voice of exceptional clarity . .
. and a talent for characterization that
is both powerful and subtle to a notable degree.”
MacGowran took home an OBIE for Best Actor, a Drama Desk
Award for Outstanding Performance, and earned the number one spot in Variety’s Off-Broadway Poll for Male Lead,
Straight Play. Ming Cho Lee polled number one in the same poll for his fascinating set of a rock within a swirling floor design..