First Love
By reciting Beckett’s novella verbatim, Conor Lovett isn’t undertaking
the easiest of tasks; even at his most conversational, Beckett can be
an uphill struggle. But for those who steel themselves for the
journey, First Love is immensely rewarding. This bleakly comic
tale is a single monologue that meanders through the protagonist’s
experiences of love and death. Beckett’s obsession with language makes
pieces such as this a kind of anti-poetry, desolate yet fertile.
The success of the performance is down to Lovett’s excellent timing;
he directs his considered verbosity to the audience, questioning and
responding to them when the occasion arises. I can’t imagine Beckett
being done more aptly; despite this – or perhaps, because of this –
it’s pretty grim and dry. This piece is unlikely to convert people to
Beckett; but those who have an affinity with his work will find this
production thoroughly rewarding.
he directs his considered verbosity to the audience, questioning and
responding to them when the occasion arises. I can’t imagine Beckett
being done more aptly; despite this – or perhaps, because of this –
it’s pretty grim and dry. This piece is unlikely to convert people to
Beckett; but those who have an affinity with his work will find this
production thoroughly rewarding.
– Miranda Fay Thomas
