Forget its description as “existential ennui”, which might scare you away from a brilliant piece of theater. This version of Samuel Beckett’s classic Waiting for Godot is good old fashioned slapstick comedy, with pratfalls and patter that ping-pongs so rapidly at times you’ll be sitting forward in your seat so you don’t miss a word.
Waiting for Godot is part of Lincoln Center’s White Light Festival, with a limited run through Nov. 13 only. Run, don’t walk, to see this acclaimed staging, produced by Ireland’s acclaimed Druid Theatre group.
We don’t often review plays here on NYC on the Cheap, but I so enjoyed this rollicking performance of a play we all probably haven’t read since college lit class.
Tickets are a theater bargain, starting at just $35, directly from Lincoln Center.
Performances are at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College, 59th St. between Tenth and Eleventh Aves.
The performers are brilliant, one moment aiming belly laughs at the audience, and a moment later wondering sadly when they will be able to afford to eat another meal.
They command a stage that’s virtually empty. Just a sad tree to mark the spot where Godot is supposed to arrive, and a large rock where they can sit and rest while waiting.
All the while, they are waiting for the mysterious Godot. Whoever or whatever Godot is. A friend? Death? The answer to the meaning of life? Beckett never told us. You can make up your own mind.
Here’s what NY Times theater reviewer Ben Brantley says about Waiting for Godot.
FWIW – After seeing Waiting for Godot, I dug out my book – the one I read in college – to reread it.
What do you think about this? We welcome your comments.