Review: Waiting for Godot (Octagon Theatre, Bolton)

Review by Jack McCabe

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Waiting for Godot follows two men, Didi (Vladimir) and Gogo (Estragon), who wait aimlessly for the arrival of Godot to bring them salvation and a purpose in life. Passing the time with repetitive conversations, petty arguments, and moments of confusion that reveal both humour and uncertainty about their situation, the main characters do not waver in their constant expectation despite no evidence being presented to support it. This classic play is currently being staged by the Octagon Theatre in Bolton, but did this production keep the audience engaged, or were they left simply waiting for the time to pass?

First performed in 1953 in France and then translated into English and performed in 1955, Waiting for Godot became a defining work of the Theatre of the Absurd, a style of drama that explores the idea that life has no clear purpose. Samuel Beckett’s play became known as one of the most significant English-language plays of the 20th century, which is pretty impressive when, well, nothing much happens. 70 years on from the first English performance, it remains just as popular today with countless revivals and re-interpretations on television. 

Clearly, one of the main reasons why this play has stood the test of time is the writing by Samuel Beckett, which is minimalist and unconventional, using repetitive, simple language, long pauses to emphasise silence and uncertainty, and a wonderful blend of humour and bleakness. His use of futile conversations and the absence of any real plot invite the audience to search for a meaning, just as Didi and Gogo are doing the exact same thing. That is, of course, my interpretation of it, and the wonderful thing about this play is that everyone could walk out of the theatre with a different view on what it was about. There are not many productions that allow that to happen, and that is a special thing indeed.

Jean Chan’s staging was simple, with the backdrop being a long, everlasting road that had no beginning, no middle, and no end, a perfect representation of what was to come. The centrepiece was a bare but ever-present tree with the remains of a once-crashed vehicle wrapped around it. The simplicity of the set was well-pitched, as it would have been misguided to overcomplicate a set for this particular play. The decision to use the addition of a few lonely leaves to the tree in the second half was wise, as it demonstrated to the audience that, whilst the conversations may stay the same, the seasons will change. 

Lizzie Powell’s lighting felt a bit too bright, at times, with the first couple of rows of the audience being very clearly lit, which took the focus slightly away from the production; however, this was not the case for the full production, and it seemed to me that the gloomier lit scenes were the better way to go for this production. The costumes were fantastic for each of the characters, representing their standing in the world in which they were living as well as their outlook on life. 

Samuel Beckett’s writing is brought to life by the direction of Dominic Hill, assisted by Laurie Bayley-Higgins, which cannot be an easy task for a play within which nothing much happens when there is a need to keep the audience engaged throughout. That being said, it is a task aptly undertaken, and the 2-hour and 10-minute production absolutely flew by. If there was a decision to be made between a focus on humour or the darker sides of this show, Hill chose to focus on the humour, and it really was funny. The brilliantly directed interactions between Didi and Gogo were, of course, a highlight of this performance, particularly the smaller, more nuanced choices such as the gestures, facial expressions, and noises. 

George Costigan plays Vladimir in this production, the more optimistic and thoughtful of the pair, constantly trying to make sense of the situation they are in, whilst waiting endlessly for Godot to arrive. His performance is understated and unsettled whilst taking charge of the duo softly and philosophically. It was a strong performance built on not just humour but also the chemistry with Matthew Kelly who plays Estragon which was the highlight of the show; the key ingredient to a successful production of this play is the need for the audience to buy into and believe the relation between the two main characters and it was a delight to watch these two brilliant actors do just that. Matthew Kelly as Estragon was funny, dependent, and dependable; he brought more of the comedy to his performance whilst maintaining the physical and mental unease his character consistently felt. The comedic timing looks to the audience, and the characterisation of Matthew Kelly was second to none; as a pair, they were perfectly cast in this production.

Gbolahan Obisesan played Pozzo in a performance as large as the character he was portraying; representing power, tyranny, and exploitation in a relatively well-measured way, albeit perhaps a little over-acted at times. The portrayal of his weakening authority as the play progressed was impressive and well-balanced, demonstrating how much of the character’s personality was linked to being in charge. As Lucky, Michael Hodgson was incredibly watchable as a character reduced almost entirely to what services he could provide and burden he could carry. That is a demanding role and one that was undertaken with skill. His performance of Lucky’s Monologue was particularly impressive and met with applause when it finished. 

This production of Waiting for Godot is engaging, funny, and thoughtful, with a strong direction that keeps the comedy at the forefront and ensures that, despite the lack of a traditional plot, the audience is consistently drawn into the world on stage rather than simply waiting for it to end. The pacing is carefully managed so that moments of silence, repetition, and confusion feel intentional rather than slow. The show is held up by a strong cast, with a particularly convincing connection between the two lead actors creating a believable and humorous relationship with emotional weight. If you are looking for an enjoyable way to pass the time, you won’t go far wrong with this.

Waiting for Godot plays at the Bolton Octagon until ^May 2nd. Tickets from https://octagonbolton.co.uk/events/waiting-for-godot

Photos by Mihaela Bodlovic