That Time

Synopsis

The stage in darkness, gradually revealing an old white face, ten feet above stage level.

An aged man, known as the Listener, is bombarded by three disembodied voices—A, B, and C—each recalling different moments from his past. As these voices overlap and interweave, they conjure fragmented memories of childhood hideaways, youthful love, and moments of isolation and despair. The play’s sparse, almost non-existent physical action, places the focus squarely on the Listener’s face and the haunting auditory experience, creating a stark, introspective atmosphere.

Themes of memory, time, and identity are central to the play, exploring how the past perpetually intrudes on the present. The voices are both comforting and tormenting, reflecting the Listener’s internal struggle to reconcile with his past. The narrative is non-linear, pieced together through the disjointed, repetitive recollections of the voices, which serve as a testament to Beckett’s mastery of minimalist theatre and his ability to evoke profound psychological depth with sparse dialogue and staging.