Samuel Beckett’s existential work is performed in the round this week in Bath’s Mission Theatre, by Playing Up Theatre Company.
Photo © Playing Up Theatre Company
“Give them enough rope and they’ll hang themselves.” Gogo (Matt Nation) and Didi (Darian Nelson), have no rope to hang themselves whilst wanting to, while Lucky (Sam Fynn) and Pozzo (Jack Strawbridge) do have rope but no suicidal tendencies.
Godot naturally never appears although his messenger (Scarlett Nation) delivers his tardy apologies in a performance that is vulnerable and convincing for one so young.
These five perform on a sparse white set, with cunning use of lighting for the tree. The whole scene is reminiscent of a polar wilderness and heavy winter clothing helps set the location.
Sophie Brooks’ original and pacy direction does the rest; this is Godot as we have never seen him before. And, we don’t!
“Godot” is word heavy, with little flow – “Nothing happens, nobody comes, nobody goes”. But the company provides a phenomenally slick production that avoids turgidity and successfully finds the comedy.
Beckett described his play as a tragicomedy and Playing Up shows us both to superb effect. This is community theatre at its very finest – professional qualities abounding. All characterisation is stunning, the gibbering loon of Lucky especially – disturbingly – so.
“Godot” runs until Saturday 13th May. The only question you now need to ask is “Shall we go?”. And then unlike our eponymous heroes… move to the Mission.
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Reviewer: Petra Rose Alexander
