Theatre of the Absurd – NYC May 2009
Skipped everything else for a taste of the Absurd: Beckett and Ionesco – could do worse when it comes to the “non-rational”!
“Waiting for Godot” in the afternoon – to reacquaint one with the existentialism comic side of life; had not seen since college, a favourite then. Well played: with Nathan Lane and Bill Irwin as “Gogo” and “Didi”; John Goodman, enormous, as Pozzo; and John Glover as unlucky “Lucky”. You know you are in America when people applaud at the entrance of recognizable comedians, which was the case of Nathan Lane and John Goodman, better known to the `”grand public” for their film or TV appearances!
A very critical look by Beckett on human travails, or at least snippets of them. Like the comfort of being driven by a consistency in life (waiting for a Godot day in and day out that never comes) that dulls the search for anything else that is worth pursuing in life. Or the inability to take action the one time the occasion presents itself (“Help” shouts Pozzo, flat on his belly, begging Gogo and Didi for an assisting hand to get back on his feet! Didi and Gogo – the odd couple, for they behave like an old couple, of the Absurd! Enjoyed; the NYT critic did as well apparently: http://theater2.nytimes.com/2009/05/01/theater/reviews/01godo.html.
The play is also in the West End with Patrick Stewart (Didi), Ian McKellen (Gogo) and Simon Callow (Pozzo). The Globe published a piece “facing-off” two observers on each side of the pond – an essay in comparative critiques! http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/theatre/the-all-stars-of-absurdism-face-off/article1137149/
Exit the King! A fascinating rendition of one of the classics of the Absurd Theatre. Geoffrey Rush sensational in his interpretation of the dying king – now a caricature of his former self, clinching to the idea that we will continue to live beyond his 400 years and that his world has not changed in spite of his kingdom being reduced to mere square kilometres. An almost acrobatic performance with his skilful pirouetting, clownishly occupying the stage, and at least once, even the orchestra. Brilliant! Well supported by the right cast, although Susan Sarandon, in her role as the no-none-sense first wife, has been accused of being too “un-committal”; I think it’s the role that calls for it – a woman past her prime and displaced in her erstwhile legitimate position as queen of the realm by younger wife number 2, and who won’t buy anymore her dying husband’s delusions. “You will be dead by the end of this play...in 1 hour and 12 minutes”, she tells him, without any “ménagement” or effort to spare him.
A reflection on one’s own mortality...that will come far sooner than another 3 to 4 centuries!
http://theater2.nytimes.com/2009/03/27/theater/reviews/27ione.html?n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/R/Rush,%20Geoffrey