Patrick Kealey as Estragon

‘Godot’: the wait is over!

Hastings based theatre, Theatre Nation, in collaboration with the David Glass Ensemble are delighted to announce – finally – after much postponement – their cult production of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot. Mark Curry writes. All photos by Chris Ford Graphic Design.

Pre-pandemic, Theatre Nation invited internationally renowned theatre maestro, David Glass to direct, he agreed – and despite the setbacks presented by Covid, the team have continued to collaborate towards finally presenting Beckett’s seminal play.

David Glass, director

Inspired by Beckett’s words, “Fail. Fail Better”, Theatre Nation and David Glass Ensemble return Waiting for Godot to its searingly theatrical, edgy and hilarious roots. As the world stands shakily up after the seismic shifts of the past years, what better play to usher in this new age of ‘beautiful ridiculous desperation’.

Directed and designed by David Glass, the reimagining of Waiting for Godot will be a true act of bridging 20th and 21stcentury theatre.

David Glass said: “Filled with beautiful, ridiculous broken life, I hope our ‘dance’ of Waiting for Godot will return the play to its roots of vaudeville, clown and the powerful vulnerability of age. As we crawl out of pestilence and war, I cannot think of a better play to lift our spirits and help us to laugh at the beautiful awfulness of it all as we wait for Godot”

Billy Clarke as Vladimir

This production promises to  be Beckett for our times – highly physical, gritty, very funny and performed by a cast of seasoned performers, steeped in the physical theatre and clowning traditions which Beckett himself loved.

It will be anything but reverential. An entertainment for our time!

This Godot is a cult in the making. Be there at the beginning.

François Testory as Lucky

David Glass, Director has performed, directed and taught in 74 countries. He is recognised as one of the world’s foremost theatre pioneers and creative leaders. During 45 years of making theatre, he has influenced three generations of theatre makers.

Previous David Glass productions include the multi award winning Gormenghast & Bleak House. Pioneers and world class storytellers, Beckett and Glass were made for one another.

Henry Maynard as Pozzo

Jack Norris as The Boy

Cast
Estragon:       Patrick Kealey
(Artistic Director, Theatre Nation; Founder, GroupK)
Vladimir:        Billy Clarke
(Chronicles of Long Kesh, Edinburgh Fringe; As the Tide Ebbs, Lyric Theatre)
Lucky:             François Testory
(Lindsey Kemp, Arkham Kahn);
Pozzo:             Henry Maynard
(Artistic Director, Flabbergast Theatre; War Horse, National Theatre; Faeries, Royal Opera House)
The Boy:         Jack Norris
(National Youth Theatre; Drama St Mary’s; Requiem)

Directed & Designed by David Glass
Assistant Director – Elliot Pritchard
Assistant Stage Manager – Jack Norris

Estragon and Vladimir

Waiting for Godot opens on Sunday 5 June at Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells, then The Stables Theatre in Hastings (7 – 11 June) and finally, The Old Market in Brighton (14 & 15 June). Tickets are on sale now via Theatre Nation.    

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