Samuel Beckett Waiting for Godot - Stratford '97
Samuel Beckett Waiting for Godot Two tramps await the mysterious Godot at the side of a deserted country road. The more they argue, question and complain, the more their predicament begins to resemble that of humanity looking for meaning in an absurd universe. The story revolves around two seemingly homeless men simply waiting for someone—or something—named Godot. Vladimir and Estragon wait near a tree, inhabiting a drama spun of their own consciousness. The result is a comical wordplay of poetry, dreamscapes, and nonsense, which has been interpreted as mankind’s inexhaustible search for meaning. Beckett’s language pioneered an expressionistic minimalism that captured the existential post-World War II Europe. His play remains one of the most magical and beautiful allegories of our time. With James Blendick, Tim MacDonald, Tom McCamus, Stephen Ouimette and Joe Dinicol Directed: Brian Bedford Producer: Barbara Worthy Recorded in front of an audience in the Glenn Gould Studio, CBC Broadcast Centre, Toronto, Canada CBC Radio One From Toronto Sunday Showcase: June 1997 Two Episodes The Bank of Montreal Stratford Festival Series Beckett's WAITING FOR GODOT has been called the quintessential play of the twentieth century. This 1997 Stratford Festival production, recorded before an audience in Toronto, benefits from good casting and wise direction. McCamus and Ouimette, as the attendant Vladimir and Estragon, have a rapport that's evident from their first lines, and their rapid exchanges of dialogue are often very funny. Blendick brings a sonorous, Orson Welles-like voice to the frighteningly absurd character of Pozzo. The small ensemble adheres well, and it's supported by convincing sound effects, music, and recording quality. [audiofilemagazine]
This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.