The play takes place in what Katharine Worth describes as "an unidentified ‘listening’ space," another of Beckett’s "skullscapes." The only specific location mentioned is "the tower" – perhaps a folly – so the scene may well be in a castle with Croak in the role of châtelain. Croak is a doddery old man, testy and maudlin. He is never referred to by name in the play itself but he is well named. Joe addresses to him – albeit somewhat obsequiously – as, "My Lord," since, despite his apparent frailty, he has plainly been someone used to wielding authority. There are only two sound effects used in the entire play, the scuffle of Croak’s feet as he arrives and departs and the thud of his club reminiscent of the rulers wielded by the Animator in Rough for Radio II and the music teacher in Embers. For entertainment, this Beckettian ‘old King Cole’ has only two old stalwarts left to call on, his minstrels, Joe (Words) and Bob (Music).
Author
Samuel Barclay Beckett was an Irish avant-garde novelist, playwright, theatre director, and poet, who lived in France for most of his adult life. He wrote in both English and French. His work offers a bleak, tragicomic outlook on human nature, often coupled with black comedy and gallows humour. Beckett is widely regarded as among the most influential writers of the 20th century. Strongly influenced by James Joyce, he is considered one of the last modernists. As an inspiration to many later writers, he is also sometimes considered one of the first postmodernists. He is one of the key writers in what Martin Esslin called the "Theatre of the Absurd". His work became increasingly minimalist in his later career. Beckett was awarded the 1969 Nobel Prize in Literature "for his writing, which—in new forms for the novel and drama—in the destitution of modern man acquires its elevation". In 1984 he was elected Saoi of Aosdána.
