Words and Music

The play takes place in what Katharine Worth describes as "an unidentified ‘listening’ space," another of Beckett’s "skullscapes." The only specific location mentioned is "the tower" – perhaps a folly – so the scene may well be in a castle with Croak in the role of châtelain. Croak is a doddery old man, testy and maudlin. He is never referred to by name in the play itself but he is well named. Joe addresses to him – albeit somewhat obsequiously – as, "My Lord," since, despite his apparent frailty, he has plainly been someone used to wielding authority. There are only two sound effects used in the entire play, the scuffle of Croak’s feet as he arrives and departs and the thud of his club reminiscent of the rulers wielded by the Animator in Rough for Radio II and the music teacher in Embers. For entertainment, this Beckettian ‘old King Cole’ has only two old stalwarts left to call on, his minstrels, Joe (Words) and Bob (Music).