WAITING FOR GODOT

Samuel Beckett's classic tragicomedy is known its lack of plot--"Nothing happens, nobody comes, nobody goes, it's awful!" Two old tramps beneath a single tree make jokes to pass the time and reflect on the state of human existence while they wait for Godot--who never comes. This audio version emphasizes the pathos over the slapstick (we can't see Estragon's pants falling down or the hat-swapping routine). David Burke adeptly channels Estragon's hopelessness with a pitiful and childlike whine while Sean Barrett's Vladimir employs a more hopeful and coherent tone. Nigel Anthony as narrator is subtle and effective at doing the work of the stage directions (how else would we know what the often mute Lucky is doing?) so we understand the spare stage that helps communicate the bleak theme. A.B. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 06]