The first thing to say about this production is that it is not the full play. It has been cut by about 40 minutes and the repetitious interplay in Act 1 between Vladimir and Estragon has been cut as have the sections that deal with bodily functions and male organs.

Nevertheless it has good elements, in the actors in particular. Physically Meredith is, or was, too short for his role, but never mind. Mostel over does it a bit, but that was Mostel.

The direction is a little irksome and not ideal for Beckett on stage which really wants for a full frame stage, not the TV close up and not the moving camera but those parts of film grammar are normal and the so-called stage-bound qualities may bore viewers.

Lucky's monologue is very athletic and the most important speech in the play given by Pozzo, "When, When, When, why do you poison me with this story of time?" is over all too quickly.

Over 50 years later we can see the whole play and uncensored, so we can look at this version as staging post on the wider introduction to Beckett.

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Two derelicts, Vladimir and Estragon, occupy themselves as they wait for 'Godot' to make an appearance on Pozzo's estate.

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Waiting for Godot

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