Waiting for Godot at the Octagon - darkly comic, moving and thought-provoking

Review by Hilary Dawes

Directed by Dominic Hill, Matthew Kelly and George Costigan star in a new staging of Samuel Beckett’s classic play.   

A faded and torn backdrop depicts a lost highway with telegraph poles fading into the distance, whilst a single tree dominates the foreground appearing to grow out of an abandoned vehicle at its base.

On this isolated road, two tramps, Vladimir and Estragon are waiting for someone named Godot, although they are not sure why – only that they cannot leave until they have seen him.  It seems they have returned to or remained at the same place for some time, although their memories are hazy.  As they pass the time with scraps of conversation, bickering, moments of tenderness and flashes of dark humour, their story becomes a moving reflection on what it means to keep going in a world that rarely offers answers.   Looking at the tree they even contemplate suicide, which itself becomes the subject of many comic observations as they realise they do not have the wherewithal to make it work.

The monotony of their day is broken by the arrival of the vociferous and flamboyantly dressed Pozzo, accompanied by his slave Lucky, heavily burdened and tethered at the neck by a rope.  The tramps are fascinated by the visitors, who are as reliant on each other as they are themselves.  As Pozzo and Lucky leave and night falls, the Boy arrives to advise Vladimir and Estragon that Godot once again won’t be coming and that he will come the next day. 

Next day, as they argue about how much time has passed, Pozzo and Lucky pass by again, this time  Pozzo is blind, Lucky mute.  They leave and the two men await Godot once more.   The Boy brings the same message – Godot will not be coming; he will come tomorrow………..

As Estragon and Vladimir, Matthew Kelly and George Costigan gave superlative performances,  their friendship of over fifty years coming across clearly, with beautifully natural dialogue and brilliant comic timing. 

Gbolahan Obisesan was splendid as larger than life Pozzo, whilst Michael Hodgson gave

an incredibly moving performance as the tragic character of Lucky.  Young Octagon members Toby Stitfall and Sebastian Walters in turn played the role of the Boy.

With designer Jean Chan’s post-apocalyptic set, and lighting and sound by Lizzie Powell and Ian Davies, the talented creative team effectively captured the dystopian atmosphere of the play.

Don’t miss this darkly comic, moving and thought-provoking play, running at the Octagon Bolton until Saturday 2 May 2026.

Visit: https://octagonbolton.co.uk/events/waiting-for-godot#dates-and-times