BREATH (1969) by Samuel Beckett

Curtain

1. Faint light on stage littered with miscellaneous rubbish. Hold about five seconds.

2. Faint brief cry and immediately inspiration and slow increase of light together reaching maximum together in about ten seconds.

3. Expiration and slow decrease of light together reaching minimum together (light as in 1) in about ten seconds and immediately cry as before. Silence and hold for about five seconds.

Curtain

RUBBISH

No verticals, all scattered and lying

CRY

Instant of recorded vagitus. Important that two cries be identical, switching on and off strictly synchronized light and breath.

BREATH

Amplified recording

MAXIMUM LIGHT

Not bright. If 0 = dark and 10= bright, light should move from about 3 to 6 and back.