A new production of Samuel Beckett’s Krapp’s Last Tape will feature 84-year-old Peter Marinker, an actor diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, in a unique exploration of memory and ageing. The performances will take place at The Cockpit theatre in September 2026.

Krapp’s Last Tape, Beckett’s 1958 monologue about a man listening to recordings of his younger self, will be staged from 2 to 5 September 2026 at The Cockpit in Marylebone. The production stars Peter Marinker, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease a few years ago and is supported by in-ear prompts and onstage assistance during the show.

The performance is designed to reflect not only the themes within Beckett’s text but also Marinker’s lived experience, offering a live investigation into memory, selfhood and ageing. Recordings of Marinker from when he last played Krapp more than 30 years ago will be incorporated into the production.

Peter Marinker is a renowned Beckett interpreter and founder of The Godot Company, formed in the early 2000s to perform Beckett’s work “as Beckett intended.” He described the role as a personal journey, linking his current condition to the play’s focus on recalling the past. “My brain is taking me on a journey with more of the right side of my brain than the left,” he explained, contrasting instinct and feeling with calculation and thoughts.

The show is directed by Dave Wybrow, The Cockpit’s artistic director, with design by Duncan Henderson. Videographer Chris Lincé will document the creative process behind the production.

Proceeds from the performances will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Society, adding a charitable element to the innovative staging. This production highlights the intersection of theatre and neurological illness, bringing new resonance to Beckett’s exploration of time and identity.