The works of Samuel Beckett are to be filmed as a major millennium
project. Set to be produced in a joint collaboration by Parallel
films and the Gate Theatre, and with full permission from the Beckett
estate, filming is due for completion by end 2000.
With completion dates as close as
they are, decisions will have to be taken soon as to who will take
the lead roles in such powerful productions as Beckett's Waiting
for Godot, Krapps Last Tape and Endgame. Actors such as Barry McGovern
and Alan Stanford have made the Beckett roles their own on the Gate
stage over the past few years but there is no certainty that they
will be chosen for these filmed productions.
Since it staged the
first Beckett Festival in 1991 the Gate has received many accolades
for its portrayal of the playwrights work at home and abroad and
in September will take all 19 of the plays to the Barbican Centre
in London.
Michael Colgan, Director
of the Gate will work with Alan Moloney of Parallel films on the
project with Moloney as Executive Producer. The production company,
Parallel Films, which Moloney runs with partner Tim Palmer has been
receiving accolades of their own recently also. With the award winning
Amongst Women and Falling for a Dancer both receiving their second
airing on RTE they have also been selected for the Amsterdam based
Widescreen Festival for their most recent collaboration with RTE.
The yet to be screened drama series DDU is the sequel to last years
major crime thriller Making the Cut.