Stan Lai reimagines Beckett at Theater Above

"Beckett Above," a collection of five short plays written by Irish playwright Samuel Beckett and directed by Stan Lai, will be staged at Theater Above this weekend.

The 20th-century dramatist was a key representative of the Theatre of the Absurd. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1969 "for his writing, which with great artistic integrity expresses the suffering of humanity in the modern world in a novel and dramatic form."

In his previous interviews, Lai said that Shakespeare, Chekhov, and Beckett have had a significant influence on his works. When he ponders over the subject, "What is theater?" Beckett provides the most generous area for reflection.

"Beckett uses the most straightforward approach to show us all the possibilities of drama," said Lai. "He always wins with the least, using the fewest words, the fewest movements, to maximize thought."

Beckett performs most of his plays in minimalist settings, using the most basic conceptions of objects to depict the universe he has created. He believes that genuine art can be made without a plot or action.

"Beckett Above," a collection of the five short plays "Come and Go," "Breath," "Play," "Where," and "Footfalls," embodies this theatrical concept.

Written at various phases of Beckett's life, the short plays offer a glimpse into the playwright's evolving state of mind.

"Beckett constantly teaches us that words need not be many, plays need not be long, and stages don't need to be grand," said Lai.

"But the creative team must deeply understand, interpret clearly, and performers must execute sharply, so that these few rare dramatic masterpieces can unleash unlimited imagination," he said.

Performance info

Date: July 11-13, 1:45pm/4:15pm/7:30pm

Tickets: 50-480 yuan

Venue: Theater Above 上剧场

Address: 5/F, 1111 Zhaojiabang Road 肇嘉浜路1111号5楼