Review: THE BECKETT TRIO at Scena Theatre

I often state that a solo show is the hardest kind of theater performance to put together because it's just the performer and the audience. In most cases, the show would be an actor telling his/her story or portraying multiple characters. Most of these are easy to follow because there is a clear story line. Now, consider Scena Theatre's latest offering featuring the dynamic actress Nanna Ingvarsson performing three short pieces by the master of easy to follow, minimalist, avant garde material...Samuel Beckett. Yes, you read that right. If you go in thinking of the three pieces as acting exercises rather than full pieces of complete theatrical storytelling, you are sure to have a good experience.

Footfalls is the story of May, a woman under the thumb of her mother who you only hear (the voice is DC's granddame of the theatre Nancy Robinette.).

The fast-paced rant, Not I, offers a unique visual experience. You only see a moving mouth through a small hole in John D. Antone's brick wall set, lit in a pin spot by lighting designer Jonathan Alexander.

Rockaby features a woman dressed in black sitting in a rocking chair. She is rocking very slowly as Ingvarsson's recorded voice is heard reflecting on her life.

Not I was easily my favorite of the three pieces.

If you are a scholar of the theater and/or Beckett, more specifically, you will probably find a deeper meaning in these pieces than I did. However, I will say that Nanna Ingvarsson is one talented actress and her characterizations are clear and distinct.

Scena Theatre's Artistic Director Robert McNamara gets the whole avant garde theater style and keeps to the minimalist approach that Beckett intended.

All in all, The Beckett Trio offers a well-executed, quick introduction to the master of minimalism, Samuel Beckett. His masterwork Waiting for Godot is coming to Shakespeare Theatre Company in the spring so The Beckett Trio is a good way to introduce yourself to his work or get reacquainted with it. A killer performance by Ingvarsson doesn't hurt either.

Running Time: 60 minutes with no intermission.

The Beckett Trio runs through April 8, 2018 at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, located at 333 H St NE, Washington, DC. For tickets, click here.

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