A man, a woman, a recollection. First Love is one of Samuel Beckett’s most masterful stories.
In this acclaimed staging, Conor Lovett – who has performed in 18 roles by Beckett – plays the narrator who can’t forget his expulsion from the family home, his happening upon a park bench, and his infatuation with the woman he met there. A perfect blend of tragedy and comedy, it is a powerful, lyrical tale from one of the twentieth century’s most celebrated writers.
Gare St Lazare are internationally regarded to be among the finest exponents of Beckett’s work, and have toured to over 80 cities worldwide. First Love marks their first Beckett performance in London since Lessness at the National Theatre in 2002.
Judy Hegarty Lovett and Conor Lovett are nominated for the OffWestEnd Awards 2014 in the categories Best Director and Best Male Performance for their production First Love.
Post-show Q&A with Conor Lovett
Monday 1st December — Free for ticket-holders
Filmed performance
Thursday 11th December — For the National Video Archive of Performance
“The subtle, superb Conor Lovett … Elegantly directed by Judy Hegarty Lovett” The New Yorker
“Conor Lovett deserves his reputation as one of the greatest Beckett actors of our time.” The Australian Stage
“Brilliantly, heart-rendingly performed by the great Irish actor and Beckett interpreter Conor Lovett” The Guardian
“[Lovett] has become so much the Beckett performer of choice that his voice, his humour, his ways of controlling attention, more and more, form our idea of Beckett.” Dublin Evening Herald
“Lovett’s supremely funny performance is such a pleasing triumph.” The New York Times
“There is very little about Conor Lovett’s solo show that does not inspire superlatives … one of the most engrossing, captivating and thoroughly entertaining evenings I’ve had in a theatre all year.”
Gerald Berkowitz, Theatre Guide
A selection of your reviews on Twitter…
“#FirstLove was an acting masterclass Lovett was incredible, mesmerizing- Beckett to perfection”
@Kate0Rourke
“Beautiful funny painful writing – compelling performance, brilliant direction”
@ClodEnsemble
“Go and see @garestlazare’s mirthsome mesmerising moving #FirstLove”
@m_keane
“Stunning one-man adaptation of SB’s novella.”
@dickon_edwards
“Marvellous performance by Conor Lovett who held the audience for 80 minutes with Beckett’s short story.”
@colyerh
Opening performance (20 November) – all tickets £12
Saturday matinees at 3.00pm
In Studio 1, seating is allocated.
Recommended for ages 14+
Running time is approximately 80 mins.
