"There was no admission charge,
only a passed hat for this excellent production. This play
about death and loss truly came to life in this populist
setting."
- International Beckett Circle More Press
As seen from above, with the actors performing
between their program information, painted sandwich board
style on either side of them.
After Play, Right-On-Futon's owner (and
Play set designer) Mark Bello continued to use the large
windows as a regular location for installation performances
and film showings.
By Samuel Beckett
Directed by Joanna Settle
Around-the-Coyote Festival, Chicago
September 1999
About the Text:
Samuel Beckett’s Play was written in English in
December of 1962. Three characters are presented as
dead, in funereal urns up to their necks: a man, his
wife, and his mistress. They continue, even from their
urns, to bicker and rehash their history, and to wonder
if anyone can hear them. The text is written as a 10-minute
work that repeats in its entirety.
The performers are cued to speak by a glaring white
spotlight. When lit, they speak continuously until the
light shifts to illuminate another character, or is
extinguished.
Dozens of audience members standing
on the street for a midnight performance of Play.
About the Production:
Play was produced by invitation for the annual Around-the-Coyote
Festival in Wicker Park, Chicago. Division 13 Productions
set Play in the large display window of Right-On-Futon at
a busy three-way intersection, with small microphones mounted
on the urns feeding to speakers on the sidewalk. Due to the
high traffic at this site-specific location, the production’s
technical rehearsals were held in the hours just after midnight.
Every technical rehearsal drew an audience.
This text presented a rigorous difficulty for the performers,
who needed to learn to give their lightning-speed delivery
in perfect stillness. Rehearsals could last no longer than
2 hours.
The work drew significant media and public attention.
Festival audiences ranged from Beckett enthusiasts to those
who just happened to stumble across the show. During one performance,
more than 100 audience members blocked a bus stop and spilled
into the street.
Two unusual aspects of the production went largely unnoticed
by the audience: Megan Rodgers played the role of the man,
as a man (in full beard), and all three actors performed
to their own reflection, thrown vividly against the interior
glass of the display window whenever they were lit.
Performances were free to the public, and a coffee can was
passed for donations.
Program Information:
Set Design: Mark Bello
Production Manager: Alex Blunt
Assistant Director: Kelly Cooper
Lighting Supervisor: Ruth Helms
Sound Design: Mike Frank and Seth Greene
Cast:
Anne DeAcetis (W2)
Megan Rodgers (M)
Katie Taber (W1)
