brilliant, but don't read it (Waiting for Godot - Samuel Beckett)

Member Name: the_grinder

Product:	Waiting for Godot - Samuel Beckett
Date:	03/07/01 (65 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: simple language

Disadvantages: boring to some

Most of the opiions on this play seem to say the same thing - that they found it much more enjoyable when seen in a theatre, or at least imagined it would be. And to me that is the whole point Waiting for Godot: it is a play, and as such is meant to be experienced in the theatre.

You may know something of the plot, so briefly: two central charcters, Estragon and Vladimir, do very litte and can't leave their spot by the tree because they are waiting for the arrival of Godot, who never comes. Boring!

You may have guessed that I don't think it's boring at all. If you're reading this play, imagine being in an audience. If you are in an audience, look at the reaction of everyone around you. For there is a world of difference between reading and watching: you can put a book down and do something more interesting. Short of walking out of the theatre, however, an audience is trapped. And why do you feel uncomfortable? Because there are great long pauses in the dialogue. What are you supposed to do? Someone say something for goodness' sake!!! Because nothing much happens. Someone do something please!!!

And to me that is one, and most interesting, of the levels this play operates on. The characters aren't the only ones waiting, rooted to the spot but desparate for something to change. The poor audience is desparate for something, anything to happen. They are made to wait for the lines and action, but they can't leave, because what happens if Godot actually does turn up?

We're getting into some interesting stuff with this play. That to me is why it is regarded as so important: it started playing around with theatre and audiences, and the Theatre of the Absurd takes it to another level.

If you like this play, have a go at Ionesco, one of the great absurdists. Where Beckett is a bit bleak for some, Ionesco does it with humour. There are some good tranlations about: start with The Bald Prima Donna (la ca
ntatrice chauve) and compare it to Waiting for Godot. Very illuminating.

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