Cascando is a radio play written by Samuel Beckett in 1961. The title evokes both the musical term for diminishing and the Italian or Spanish word for "falling," "fragmenting," or "winding down." The narrative centres on the struggle to reach an ending, reflecting not only the challenges of artistic creation and the writing process but also the existential confrontation with death. As always, Beckett’s work is minimalist, dense, and allusive. In this production, the Irish theatre company Pan Pan reimagines the short, approximately 40-minute play as a solemn walk through the streets of London. Audience members receive black cloaks and earphones at the outset, listening to the narrative while proceeding single file on a journey that begins and ends at the theatre. For passersby accustomed to the protests and parades of all kinds present in a large city, the strange procession of these "monks" or "grim reapers" may not seem unusual, but the real question is whether this theatrical mummery enriches Beckett’s work for its participants. The answer may vary by age. Younger audience members, used to walking around while listening to music or podcasts, might find the experience seamless. For older individuals who find city-walking demands full attention, the audio may be overshadowed by the need to navigate traffic and external distractions. Those in the latter group will recall that Cascando was written as a radio play, intended to be listened to with undivided attention. Staging it as a mobile performance through the busy London streets is likely to be counterproductive to achieving that end. So, while Pan Pan’s interpretation of Beckett’s brief, brooding work is undeniably inventive, it may not resonate equally with all audiences.
Rated: ★★★
Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Greta Zabulyte
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