Waiting For Godot Review 2009

Genre: Drama
Opened 6 May 2009
Written: by Samuel Beckett
Directed: Sean Mathias
Cast: Ian McKellen (Estragon), Patrick Stewart (Vladimir), Simon Callow (Pozzo), Ronald Pickup (Lucky)
Synopsis Follows two consecutive days in the lives of tramps, Vladimir and Estragon , who divert themselves by clowning around, joking and arguing, while waiting expectantly and unsuccessfully for the mysterious Godot.

What the popular press had to say.....
NICK CURTIS for THE EVENING STANDARD says, "McKellen and Stewart mesh delightfully together." MICHAEL COVENEY for THE INDEPENDENT says, "It's a wonderful double act...a play that cannot make up its mind in the battle between philosophy and religion. The truth is, it's about both, and the wonderful humanity of Stewart and McKellen ensures that you never think for one minute they are talking nonsense." MARK SHENTON for THE STAGE says, "A moving portrait of the consolations of companionship and friendship." MICHAEL BILLINGTON for THE GUARDIAN says, "While there is much to enjoy in the production, I felt I was watching talented comic performers rather than listening to the still sad music of humanity." BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE for THE TIMES says, "Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen happen also to be superb classic actors — and they proved it with 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...They're moving, they're witty, they're inventive, they're — well, excellent." CHARLES SPENCER for THE DAILY TELEGRAPH says, "There is a constant feeling in this production...that director Sean Mathias is trying to make things as easy and palatable as possible for a West End audience. The bleakness of the piece...has been prettied up with sight gags, comic sound effects, funny voices, and an elaborate set locating the action in an abandoned derelict theatre. This last innovation is in complete contradiction of Beckett's own stage directions."

External links to full reviews from popular press
The Independent
The Guardian
Daily Telegraph
The Times

Production photos by Sasha Gusov