Come and Go

Background >

Beckett wrote the one act 'dramaticule' Come and Go, in English, early in 1965. The text comprises just 121 words, the playwright's 'Notes' being almost twice as long. Beckett repeatedly revised the text – before, during and after its various translations and print publications.

It was translated into German as Kommen und Gehen and first performed at Berlin's Schiller-Theatre Werkstatt on 14 January 1966. The first performance in English was presented at Dublin's Peacock Theatre in February 1968, moving to London's Royal Festival Hall in December 1968. The US premier was staged by Mabou Mines in 1975.

The play was originally published in French by Éditions de Minuit in Paris, 1966. The first English edition, published by Calder and Boyars of London, followed in 1967.

The present Beckett on Film production was recorded at the Ardmore Studios, Ireland, in December 2000.