WAITING FOR GODOT
Written by Samuel Beckett
Directed by Sean Mathias
Ian McKellen as Estragon
Patrick Stewart as Vladimir
UK Tour followed by West End run at the
Theatre Royal Haymarket
5 March - 9 August 2009
Theatre Royal Haymarket followed by a tour of
Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa
Ian McKellen as Estragon
Roger Rees as Vladimir
Matthew Kelly as Pozzo
Troye Sivan as
Boy
21 January - 14 August 2010
The Cort Theatre, Broadway
Ian
McKellen as Estragon
Patrick Stewart as Vladimir
26 October
2013 - 30 March 2014
Patrick Stewart as Vladimir
5 March - 9 August 2009
Theatre Royal Haymarket followed by a tour of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa
Ian McKellen as Estragon
Roger Rees as Vladimir
Matthew Kelly as Pozzo
Troye Sivan as Boy
21 January - 14 August 2010
The Cort Theatre, Broadway
Ian McKellen as Estragon
Patrick Stewart as Vladimir
26 October 2013 - 30 March 2014
Words from Ian McKellen
Two old friends meet to converse, joke and argue with themselves as they wait through one day and then another for the mysterious Godot...the combination of music hall, poetry and tension redefined what is possible in theatre, so that today Waiting for Godot is accepted as one of the most significant plays of the 20th century.
When Samuel Beckett's play exploded on to the London stage 50 years ago, it shocked as many people as it delighted. There had never been a play like it; indeed it was said that: "Beckett has achieved a theoretical impossibilitya play in which nothing happens, that yet keeps audiences glued to their seats."
In a year rich with diverse drama Sean Mathias's 2009 production for the Theatre Royal Haymarket matched the success of the London premiere and proved one of the most successful plays of the season (indeed of any season) and broke all box office records for both the play and the theatre.
After a sold out national tour and an extended run in the West End, the Haymarket revived the production, again directed by Sean Mathias with Ian McKellen and Ronald Pickup returning to their memorable roles as Estragon and Lucky. The highly acclaimed and award-winning actors, Roger Rees and Matthew Kelly joined them as Vladimir and Pozzo.
Ian McKellen and Roger Rees are both renowned Shakespearean actors at Stratford-upon-Avon, in the West End and on Broadway. They first worked together in 1976 in Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth. In 1978 they toured UK for the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Reviews
of the 2010 production
"When Gogo says: 'We've no rights anymore? … We've lost our rights?,' you can feel the audience's ears prick up." — Brent Meersman, Journal of Beckett Studies
"In his droll, wry way McKellen's Estragon is funnier than last year, funnier even than his famous Widow Twankey" — Benedict Nightingale, The Times
"Masterly McKellen glitters in Waiting For Godot revival" — Henry Hitchings, Evening Standard
"As a double-act, McKellen and Rees excel in perfectly synchronizing Estragon's gloominess with Vladimir's optimism." — Chloe Preece, London Theatre Guide
Reviews of the 2009 production
The Times
"Performances that were at once subtle and commanding, touching and funny, vulnerable and dignified and just about everything we could expect Vladimir and Estragon to be." — Benedict Nightingale, The Times
The Independent
"The wonderful humanity of Stewart and McKellen ensures that you never think for one minute they are talking nonsense" — Michael Coveney, The Independent
The New York Times
"The opening moments of Sean Mathias's production of Samuel Beckett's benchmark 1953 play suggest that this will be a 'Godot' with a difference, and for two-and-a-half alternately crushing and beautiful hours, Mr. McKellen and his scarcely less distinguished colleague, Patrick Stewart, do not disappoint." — Matt Wolf, The New York Times
The Hollywood Reporter
"Thanks to the splendid performers, the audience leaves with a smile." — Ray Bennett, The Hollywood Reporter
Daily Mail
Verdict: Darlings, your tramps are wonderful — Quentin Letts, Daily Mail
Bloomberg
McKellen is superb. He performs Estragon with a maudlin quiver in his voice and a note of comically pathetic vulnerability. — Warwick Thompson, Bloomberg
UK Tour
5-14 March 2009
Festival Theatre, Malvern
16-21 March 2009
Milton Keynes Theatre
23-28 March 2009
Brighton Theatre Royal
30 March - 4 April 2009
Bath Theatre Royal
6-11 April 2009
Norwich Theatre Royal
13-18 April 2009
King's Theatre Edinburgh
20-25 April 2009
Newcastle Theatre Royal
30 April - 9 August 2009
21 January - 4 April 2010
London Theatre Royal Haymarket
Australia and New Zealand:
6-23 May 2010: Melbourne, Comedy Theatre
28 May - 3 June 2010: Perth, His Majesty's Theatre
9-11 June 2010: Adelaide, Her Majesty's Theatre
15-27 June, 6-10 July 2010: Sydney, The Drama Theatre
30 June - 2 July 2010: Wellington, St. James Theatre
13-14 July 2010: Christchurch, Isaac Theatre Royal
29 July - 14 August 2010: Cape Town, Fugard Theatre
Listen to Radio 4 Today Programme
Credits for GODOT
Photos for GODOT
Video Trailer: Comedy
Video Trailer: Tragedy
Next Play:
A KNIGHT AT THE CRUCIBLE
Back to Index of Plays