Waiting for Godot

Synopsis

Vladimir and Estragon are waiting. Two old men whose compulsion to wait for a visit from the indescribable Godot forces them to pass the time in the only way they can; with and for each other. Stories are told, boots are abandoned, religion is debated, memories of better days are shared - and time passes. Jokes are made, songs are sung, suicide is contemplated, the fear of being alone is overwhelming - and time passes. Chance meetings happen, arguments take place, thinking occurs, violence is advocated, hats are exchanged, friendship is venerated - and time passes. On a road with a single tree two old friends wait... and pass the time. The 1953 drama was voted the most significant play of the century by a poll undertaken by the National Theatre in 1998.

Our Review:

28 January 2010

At the core of last year’s revival of Samuel Beckett’s great play was the moving reconciliation of two RSC titans, Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart, reduced to hanging about in the metaphorical void, or green room, waiting for Godot and perhaps one last major commission.

Now that Stewart has been replaced by another long-ago RSC veteran, Roger Rees, you’d expect a similar sort of message to apply. But Sean Mathias’ fine production is now completely different: Rees’ Vladimir is spryer, more proactive, even more cheerful, if that’s a word one can use in relation to Beckett. But he’s definitely the junior partner in the act.

And McKellen’s Estragon, hauling himself out of the ditch yet again, beaten up last night yet again, has grown even older, more mysterious, more accommodating. He’s like a very old, very wounded, abandoned dog.

He really has gone through the pain barrier whereas Rees is summoning all that famous Nicholas Nickleby energy and optimism fo...

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Latest User Review

Joe - 11 February 2010:

I must say don't know what all the hype is for this Godot play but after missing it last year, thought I should go and see it now. Well, can I say that this (and Lord of the Rings Musical) was one of the longest and most boring nights I have ever had at the theatre. What was it all about--seemed to have no substance as no real story and apart from Matthew Kelly who was good and strong voice, the rest i could hardly hear from the UC seats . specially Ian McKellen who seemed to mumble and could not understand hardly anything that he said. Definitely very very overrated and would not recommend at all unless you are tired and want a good sleep....

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