“It means what it says,” Samuel Beckett said of his absurdist play, “Waiting for Godot,” which was written in the early 1940s and published in 1952.  Born 100 years ago in Ireland, Beckett’s works have lived on as inspiration for other absurdist playwrights such as Tom Stoppard and Edward Albee and for acting and directing troupes across the world.  The Gardner-Webb University Theatre program is proud to participate in the Beckett Centennial as they pay tribute to Beckett in their own production of “Waiting for Godot” on October 3 – 7.

The play is divided into two acts.  During the entirety of the show, the lead characters, Vladimir and Estragon are waiting, at roadside, for the arrival of Godot.  Although other travelers come and go, Godot never comes.  At the end of the play, Vladimir asks Estragon, “Well, shall we go?”  “Yes, let’s go,” Estragon replies.  The two agree to leave, but stay just as they are.  In keeping with the rest of the play, the ending is truly absurd and thought provoking, just the way that Beckett intended it to be.

Scot Lahaie, director of Gardner-Webb’s Theatre program and director of “Waiting for Godot,” claims that this play is, most arguably, the most famous play of the twentieth century.  “We have a great cast put together for this production.” An all-male cast, Lahaie and his troupe have rehearsed tirelessly since the casting of the show early in the semester.  Along with the cast, the technical crew has worked equally as hard to prepare for the production.  “The scenic element (designed by Christopher Keene) is inspired and contributes significantly to the development of the play’s theme,” Lahaie said. 

The themes Lahaie refers to are ones typical of a tragic-comedy.  While “Waiting for Godot” is a more serious, theological play, it is meant, at times, to be funny.  “We are striving to highlight the humor in this very metaphysical play, knowing that the philosophical qualities of the play will take care of themselves,” Lahaie commented on their task at hand.  “Our job is to engage and entertain through dramatic action, not to philosophize,” he added.  “That comes after the fact.”

“Waiting for Godot” will be produced in the Kathleen R. Dover Memorial Theatre at Gardner-Webb, which is adjacent to the Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center (LYCC).  The show will run Tuesday, October 3 through Saturday, October 6 at 7:30 p.m. Admission for Gardner-Webb students is free with I.D., and other tickets are available for purchase at the door.  The production is open to the community, but the public is encouraged to arrive early to ensure seating.