Gary Oldman Returns to Theatre Roots in York After Decades

Gary Oldman, the acclaimed Oscar-winning actor, is set to return to the theatre stage where his career began. For the first time since the late 1980s, Oldman will take on a stage role in Samuel Beckett’s “Krapp’s Last Tape” at York Theatre Royal in April next year.

Oldman’s early career traced back to 1979 when he performed at the York Theatre Royal in productions such as “Privates on Parade” and “She Stoops to Conquer.” Remarkably, he even played the cat in the pantomime “Dick Whittington” during the Christmas season of that year. “My professional public acting debut was on the stage at the York Theatre Royal,” Oldman reflected, adding, “York, for me, is the completion of a circle. It is ‘the where it all began.'”

The forthcoming theatre piece resonates personally for Oldman as “Krapp’s Last Tape” features a narrative of a man revisiting his past from 30 years prior, a poignant theme that parallels his own return to the stage. Since embarking on his acting journey in York, Oldman, originally from London, continued to build his career with noted performances at the Royal Court and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Oldman’s transition from theatre to film brought him prominent roles in movies such as “Sid and Nancy,” “JFK,” and “Bram Stoker’s Dracula.” Notably, he won the Oscar for Best Actor in 2018 for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in “Darkest Hour,” and he currently stars in Apple TV’s “Slow Horses.”

Having considered a theatre return for nearly three decades, Oldman shared, “I have never been far from the theatre and, in fact, have been discussing plays and my return for nearly 30 years.” The thought took root seriously when he visited the York Theatre in March, where he met with the venue’s current chief executive, Paul Crewes.

“It was a lovely afternoon, just reminiscing,” Crewes told BBC Radio York. “We started discussing potential projects. Gary suggested ‘Krapp’s Last Tape,’ which seemed perfect, as it is fundamentally about a man reflecting on his past 30 years.”

“Krapp’s Last Tape” is a one-act play first performed by Patrick Magee in 1958. It captures the essence of a melancholy 69-year-old man replaying old recordings of himself, reflecting on lost love amid bites of bananas. The production at York Theatre Royal will open for previews on April 14 and run until May 17, 2025. Priority booking begins November 6, with public ticket sales from November 16.

Paul Crewes elaborated on the project’s synergy, stating, “When we started exploring ideas, we realized ‘Krapp’s Last Tape’ fitted perfectly into this context.” Oldman’s journey from his initial stages at York to becoming one of cinema’s distinguished actors brings his career full circle as he returns to fulfill his passion for theatre.