Prior to the 1971 U.S. production, Jack MacGowran performed in a 1966 TV production for RTÉ (Ireland), as well as stage performances in Paris, London and New York.
MacGowran received a 1971 Obie Award for his performance in the Off-Broadway show "Jack MacGowran in the Works of Samuel Beckett," which was produced by Joseph Papp's Public Theater in New York. The play ran from November 1970 to January 1971 for 67 performances.