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| Gary Lydon as Estragon and Conor Lovett as Vladimir |
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the first production of "Waiting for Godot" by Samuel Beckett, ArtsEmerson, in collaboration with the Dublin Theatre Festival, commissioned a new version of the play to be performed in Dublin and in Boston by the renowned troupe, Gare St. Lazare Players. It is a production well worth waiting for.
The production is set in Emerson's glorious Art Deco Paramount Theater. Directed by Judy Hegarty Lovett, this cast of Irishmen is flawless in their portrayal of Beckett's put-upon tramps waiting for the ever-elusive Godot to bring them salvation - or meaning. Winner of the Nobel Prize for Drama, Beckett was reluctant to clarify the meaning of this enigmatic and absurdist play, which has become a staple of the canon of Western dramas. This new production features set and costume design by Ferdia Murphy and Lighting Design by Sinead McKenna. The result of their work is both simple and sumptuous.
Conor Lovett as Vladimir and Gary Lydon as Estragon (Gogo) command the attention of the audience - even when they are simply standing and waiting. They are the Abbott and Costello of Theatre of the Absurd. Beckett originally wrote this play in French, and then translated it into English. His Irish roots are apparent in the rhythms and cadences of the monologues and dialogues. The speech patterns and brogues of these two actors fit perfectly Beckett's pulse and meter, and make the play's language flow like music or liquid moon light..
Rounding out the cast are Tadhg Murphy as the servant, Lucky, Gavan O'Herlihy as the slave master, Pozo, and Connor Thomas Upton as Boy. Murphy's breathless marathon monologue of nonsensical phrases elicited a spontaneous outburst of applause as he lay spent upon the stage after collapsing mid-filibuster.
Departing audience members may not have been able to agree about the meaning of the iconic work that they had just witnessed, but there was universal agreement that we had seen something very special performed with extraordinary grace and artistry. This is the best of all the productions of Godot I have seen, and we are blessed in Boston to be able to partake of it.
There remain six more performances, beginning tomorrow evening at 7:30.
Don't wait any longer to order your tickets.
Enjoy!
Al
Through November 10.
ArtsEmerson - Godot
Samuel Beckett ranks among the great artists of the Western world and Waiting for Godot is considered by many to be his masterpiece. On a country road towards the end of day, two friends wait for a man named Godot to arrive. By nightfall they're still waiting.
No one does Beckett better than those from his native land, and Gare St Lazare Players Ireland is internationally recognized as among the foremost interpreters of Beckett's work. Director Judy Hegarty Lovett and actor Conor Lovett have 17 Beckett titles in their repertory. In 2011 the company performed their solo adaptation of Moby Dick by Herman Melville at ArtsEmerson and now they return with the play that changed the course of modern theatre, in its 60th anniversary year. This production, laced with heart and humor, comes to ArtsEmerson directly from its premiere at Dublin's Gaiety Theatre.
No one does Beckett better than those from his native land, and Gare St Lazare Players Ireland is internationally recognized as among the foremost interpreters of Beckett's work. Director Judy Hegarty Lovett and actor Conor Lovett have 17 Beckett titles in their repertory. In 2011 the company performed their solo adaptation of Moby Dick by Herman Melville at ArtsEmerson and now they return with the play that changed the course of modern theatre, in its 60th anniversary year. This production, laced with heart and humor, comes to ArtsEmerson directly from its premiere at Dublin's Gaiety Theatre.
“LOVETT PUTS A HEX ON THE AUDIENCE! HEGARTY LOVETT…PLAYS THIS INSTRUMENT LIKE A TRUE MAESTRO” –VARIETY
ABOUT THE ARTISTS:
Run by artistic directors Conor Lovett and Judy Hegarty Lovett, Gare St Lazare Players Ireland have toured to over 80 cities outside their native Ireland. Over the last 14 years GSLPI have built a repertory of work that includes 17 Samuel Beckett titles, gaining them an international reputation as leading interpreters of Beckett's work, as well as plays by Conor McPherson, Michael Harding and Will Eno. The company has also received awards in Ireland, China, the U.S. and Germany.
CAST
| Vladimir | Conor Lovett |
| Estragon | Gary Lydon |
| Lucky | Tadhg Murphy |
| Pozzo | Gavan O'Herlihy |
| Boy | Connor Upton |
CREATIVE
| Written by | Samuel Beckett |
| Director | Judy Hegarty Lovett |
| Set/Costume Design | Ferdia Murphy |
| Lighting Design | Sinead Mckenna |
| Associate Producer | Maura O'Keeffe |
| Line Producer | Sorcha O'Reilly |
| Stage Manager | Diarmuid Quigley |
| Production Manager | Rob Furey |
| Casting Director | Maureen Hughes |
| Fight Consultant | Donal O'Farrell |
| Hair & Makeup | Val Sherlock |
| Construction | Barrington Stage Co. |
| Photography | Ros Kavanagh |
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