Waiting For Godot Tickets

The play starts when Estragon is struggling to remove a boot eventually giving up. His friend Vladimir muses on his thought. They both discuss repentance in relation with the story of two thieves crucified along Jesus, one of the several biblical references used in the play. Both Vladimir and Estragon are close friends, express their frustration to each other and generally support and embrace one another while they are waiting for Godot and have nothing to do. Their waiting is interrupted by Pozzo and his slave Lucky who decide to stay for a while. By the end of the first act, a boy brings a message that Godot will be visiting them tomorrow and they continue to wait endlessly.

During the second act, they pass the time by eating, imitating Pozzo and Lucky, attempting to do Yoga and when they are informed by the boy that Godot will be meeting them tomorrow, they think of doing suicide but ultimately decide to wait another day. By the end of the play, they both plan to leave but no one does so.

The play has numerous biblical references. The first one can be linked to putative central theme of salvation and reconciliation with God. Audiences also come across philosophical, classical, biographical, psychoanalytical and wartime references. It is a play in which nothing happens, yet the audiences remain glued to their seats. It is so elemental that it invites all kinds of religious, political and social implications.

An abridged version of the play was first performed in 1952 in the studio of Club d'Essai de la Radio. Les Éditions de Minuit published the play same year in advance of first full theatrical performance. A particularly significant production took place in Germany in Lüttringhausen Prison when an inmate got a copy of French edition of the play, translated it into German himself and staged it in prison. Beckett was intensely moved by this and after this event, his enduring links with prisoners continued.

The English edition of the play was premiered in 1955 at Arts Theatre, London directed by Peter Hall. The first production in United States took place at Coconut Grove Playhouse. It received positive reviews but Broadway version was met with much more critical acclaim. The play was revived in 1988 by Mike Nichols and it ran for seven weeks becoming financially successful. In London’s West End, it was revived in 1991 and then again in 2009.

The 2009 Broadway revival of the play received huge success and rave reviews. Starring Bill Irwin and Nathan Lane, it was nominated for three Tony Awards. In 2013, a new production was directed by Jennifer Tarver which stars Stephen Ouimette, Tom Rooney, Brian Dennehy and Randy Hughson.

Waiting for Godot has been voted as "the most significant play of the 20th century". Godot’s absence and various other aspects of the play including political, philosophical and religious references have led to international fame of the play. Buy Waiting for Godot tickets and enjoy this spectacular play of Samuel Beckett.