Theatre Review - Waiting for Godot

Lucian Msamati, left, as Estragon and Ben Whishaw as Vladimir [Marc Brenner]

WE’RE all born “astride a grave”, Samuel Beckett reminds us in his seminal 1953 play that has perplexed and delighted theatre-goers over the decades.

While waiting for the enigmatic Godot, Estragon (Lucian Msamati) and Vladimir (Ben Whishaw) contemplate the pain and absurdity of human existence.

The pair, who affectionately refer to each other as Gogo and Didi, wait by a tree on a desolate plain (beautifully envisioned by Rae Smith). That they inhabit a world ravaged by climate change is suggested by the monochrome palette and shred of plastic caught in the skeletal tree. When the tree sprouts leaves in the second act, it is met with genuine wonder by Didi.

To pass the time Gogo and Didi try to distract one another and bicker. The banality of their lives is brought home by their mindless chatter. Estragon’s feet hurt and Vladimir finds it hard to pee. They veer between hope and despair. Occasionally they comfort each other like children.

James Macdonald’s bracing production captures Beckett’s fine balance between tragedy and farce, and emphasises his characters’ interdependency – waiting gives Estragon and Vladimir purpose, a shared habit that ensures they aren’t alone.

Twice they are interrupted by the tyrannical Pozzo (Jonathan Slinger) and his hapless slave Lucky (Tom Edden) whose co-dependency is represented by the rope tying them together. Twice the same boy arrives to tell them that Godot will not be coming.

Msamati’s Estragon resembles a dishevelled mechanic, his unzipped overalls hanging off him, while Wishaw’s Vladimir is dressed in woolly hat, grubby T-shirt and tracksuit bottoms pulled up high over his waist. Their chemistry and comic timing are flawless.

The joy of Beckett’s classic is the countless ways it can be read and a successful production is one that remains open to interpretation. The only certainty is that Gogo and Didi are waiting.

Until December 14

waitingforgodotplay.com

Originally published by Westminster Extra