'Waiting for Godot' production finds humor but loses tragedy
Trey Morehouse | Staff Writer
Issue date: 10/21/09 Section: Lifestyles
Despite the clowning element, the actors and director still manage to find moments to display the brilliance of Beckett's dialogue. In Act I, the character Lucky (performed by Caitlyn Leary) performs an exasperating and violent monologue that feels like an angry rant on life. This character does not speak during the entire production, and remains nearly motionless and speechless until this monologue. The effect of the monologue is emotionally climactic and very moving.
Actors Brittany Cox and Michele Byron (who played Vladimir and Estragon respectively) manage to encapsulate the fraternal and loving nature of their characters' relationship. They rely on one another for everything and cannot live without the other despite their need for change. The performance given by Byron and Cox brought this co-dependence to light.
Sarah Burke portrays the character Pozzo with a great deal of energy and bravery. In Act II the character actually goes blind and seems more somber and overtly discouraged about his state in life. Burke's portrayal of Pozzo in this scene was both quiet and eloquent, and managed to be one of the most emotionally moving moments in the production.
The element that is sacrificed in this production is the show's absolute desolate nature and hopelessness. The overly physical interpretation and focus on clowning may have added more comedic effect and an overall sense of action to the play, but it removed the ability of the show to be a devastating example of the lack of meaning in life.
Actors Brittany Cox and Michele Byron (who played Vladimir and Estragon respectively) manage to encapsulate the fraternal and loving nature of their characters' relationship. They rely on one another for everything and cannot live without the other despite their need for change. The performance given by Byron and Cox brought this co-dependence to light.
Sarah Burke portrays the character Pozzo with a great deal of energy and bravery. In Act II the character actually goes blind and seems more somber and overtly discouraged about his state in life. Burke's portrayal of Pozzo in this scene was both quiet and eloquent, and managed to be one of the most emotionally moving moments in the production.
The element that is sacrificed in this production is the show's absolute desolate nature and hopelessness. The overly physical interpretation and focus on clowning may have added more comedic effect and an overall sense of action to the play, but it removed the ability of the show to be a devastating example of the lack of meaning in life.
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