Actor-Clown Bill Irwin Brings Intellect and Curiosity to Samuel Beckett in 'On Beckett'

Irwin's one-man show at Shakespeare Theatre Company explores the famed absurdist playwright's work in a compelling and accessible way.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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In his one-man show 'On Beckett' at the Shakespeare Theatre Company, actor-clown Bill Irwin blends intellect and curiosity as he explores the work of the renowned Irish playwright, poet, and novelist Samuel Beckett. Irwin, who has previously performed in Beckett's plays, promises to read from Beckett's most famous work 'Waiting for Godot' but first spends time with less recognizable texts like the novel 'Watt' and the short story collection 'Texts for Nothing'. Irwin's approach is described as 'precise but indefinable', as he considers the actorly nature of Beckett's writings and the challenges they present. The minimally staged production assures the audience that Irwin is both an actor and a clown, and his love for Beckett's work is evident throughout.

Why it matters

Irwin's 'On Beckett' provides a compelling and accessible look into the work of one of the 20th century's most renowned and challenging playwrights. By approaching Beckett's writings from an actor's perspective, Irwin offers new insights and invites the audience to reconsider their understanding of absurdist dramas like 'Waiting for Godot'. The production celebrates the synergy between Irwin's craft as an actor and clown and Beckett's signature meticulousness, demonstrating that even the most aloof and inaccessible forms of theater can be for everyone.

The details

Irwin's one-man show 'On Beckett' is a 90-minute staging that features the actor speaking, reciting passages from Beckett's works, and then speaking and reciting again. The minimally staged production in a blank, lecture-style proscenium allows Irwin to focus on the actorly nature of Beckett's writings, including the novel 'Watt' and the short story collection 'Texts for Nothing', before moving on to the playwright's most famous work, 'Waiting for Godot'. Irwin, who has previously played roles in Beckett's plays, brings his own Irish roots and love for the writer's work to the production, poking fun at the famously rigid Beckett Estate and offering commentary on the concept of 'existentialism' that is often associated with Beckett's writings.

  • The production of 'On Beckett' is running at the Shakespeare Theatre Company through March 15, 2026.

The players

Bill Irwin

A Tony Award-winning character actor who has previously performed in Samuel Beckett's plays, including 'Waiting for Godot' on Broadway in 1988 and 2009.

Samuel Beckett

The renowned Irish playwright, poet, and novelist whose works, including 'Waiting for Godot', 'Happy Days', and 'Not I', are known for their absurdist and challenging nature.

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What they’re saying

“It won't let me do otherwise … It has a grip on me.”

— Bill Irwin, Actor (Washington City Paper)

“It's a complicated relationship.”

— Bill Irwin, Actor (Washington City Paper)

The takeaway

Irwin's 'On Beckett' offers a compelling and accessible exploration of Beckett's work, blending the actor's intellect and curiosity to demonstrate that even the most challenging and absurdist forms of theater can be engaging and meaningful for a wide audience.