Few plays in the English language have caused as much controversy as Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot. During the course of the play nothing much appears to happen and Beckett himself commented that a key word used to describe his theatre should be perhaps. It is precisely this sense of waiting for someone and something to happen that dominates this classic play.
The interest for an audience watching Waiting for Godot comes from observing and listening to the banal banter of the two main protagonists, Vladimir and Estragon as they wait for the mysterious Godot. Towards the end of the play Vladimir comments that they are both “bored to death.” That death does not come as an instant release to either of them is a cause of endless frustration and despair.
In the Manchester Library Theatre’s production, Estragon is played by George Costigan and Vladimir by David Fielder. I have seen several performances of Waiting for Godot and Costigan and Fielder are the most natural and spontaneous pair of tramps that I have seen.
Costigan and Fielder have previously appeared in 30 plays together, including a recent production of Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple. That they have a deep appreciation and understanding of each other is apparent and it clearly shows in the humour and warmth that they bring to their onstage relationship.
The strength of this production also lies in the inspired casting of David Neilson, (Roy Cropper in Coronation Street) as the hapless Lucky and Russell Dixon as his tormenter Pozzo. In this production the abusive and violent nature of the master/servant relationship is graphically portrayed. Dixon’s performance in the second act of the play when Pozzo is blinded is both chilling and utterly compelling.
Beckett refused to be drawn on interpreting Waiting for Godot. In this marvellous revival directed by Chris Honer, it is the wonderful text that both sparkles and entertains, something that Beckett undoubtedly would have approved of.
Waiting for Godot runs at The Library Theatre, Manchester until 8 March 2008.
