Revival of Krapp's Last Tape, starring Gary Oldman, at the Royal Court Theatre

A revival of Samuel Beckett's Krapp's Last Tape was revealed as part of the 70th anniversary programme released by the Royal Court Theatre for 2026.

Heading to the theatre in the Spring, where it played back in 1958, it will star and be directed by Gary Oldman (Slow Horses) with a new production by York Theatre Royal.

The one-man show was initially written for Northern Irish actor Patrick Magee and was inspired by the writer, Samuel Beckett's experience of listening to Magee reading extracts from Molloy and From an Abandoned Work on a BBC programme in 1957. Considered to be one of the best dramas by Beckett, Krapp's Last Tape follows a man who sits alone on his 69th birthday and listens to the echoes of his younger self.

As part of the production's run every night, a new Beckett-inspired short play by Jerwood New Playwright Leo Simpe-Asante titled Godot's To-Do List will open up every performance. This curtain-raising comedy follows seven decades on from Krapp's Last Tape's own debut as a curtain-raiser on the Royal Court Theatre stage.

Gary Oldman says: “I'm very excited to be returning to the Royal Court with Krapp's Last Tape and to share the stage with Leo's wonderful play Godot’s To Do-List. I'm very honoured and proud to be a part of it.”

Krapp's Last Tape will play from 8 -30 May 2026.