Waiting for Godot - Deptford
West Yorkshire Playhouse and Talawa Theatre Company present:
WAITING FOR GODOT
By Samuel Beckett
Tuesday 6 to Saturday 10 March 7.30pm, Saturday Matinee 3pm.
A funny, poetic and tragic masterpiece contemplating humanity and friendship, Samuel Beckett's WAITING FOR GODOT is performed by an all-Black cast in a co-production by West Yorkshire Playhouse and Talawa Theatre 
Company. Premiering in the Playhouse's Courtyard theatre before embarking on a national tour, this is the final play to be directed by Ian Brown as Artistic Director of the Playhouse. Jeffery Kissoon and Patrick Robinson take the roles of Vladimir and Estragon - two men waiting hopelessly, helplessly, haplessly for the elusive Godot - with Fisayo Akinada, Guy Burgess and Cornell S. John completing the ensemble. This co-production is the first WAITING FOR GODOT to be produced in the UK with an all-Black British cast.
Vladimir and Estragon are waiting. Two old men whose compulsion to wait for a visit from the indescribable Godot forces them to pass the time in the only way they can; with and for each other. Stories are told, boots are abandoned, religion is debated, memories of better days are shared, jokes are made, suicide is contemplated, the fear of being alone is overwhelming – and time passes. Chance meetings happen, arguments take place, thinking occurs, violence is advocated, hats are exchanged, friendship is venerated – and time passes. On a road with a single tree two old friends wait...and pass the time.
In 1969 Samuel Beckett won the Nobel Prize for Literature. A novelist, playwright, poet and theatre director Beckett wrote in both English and French and penned some of the most important works of Twentieth Century literature. The mysterious and universal WAITING FOR GODOT which was first performed in the UK in 1955 remains one of his most famous and important works. Its true meaning is constantly debated and searched for, yet Beckett was clear in his belief that all you need to know is there in the play.
Trinidadian stage actor Jeffery Kissoon (Vladimir) works regularly with the RSC and will play Caesar in its all-black cast production of Julius Caesar this summer. 
He performed opposite Kim Cattrall in ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA (Liverpool Everyman), and has previously played Mark Anthony in Talawa's 1991 all-black cast production. He also worked with Talawa in its 1989 production THE GODS ARE NOT TO BLAME. Direct from WAR HORSE in the West End, Patrick Robinson plays Estragon. An actor whose work spans stage and screen, Patrick has previously performed at the Playhouse, playing the lead Thomas Peters in 2007's ROUGH CROSSINGS, a powerful drama about 18th century slavery written by historian Simon Schama. His television credits include popular and long-running roles in The BILL and Casualty.
Following on from his critically acclaimed production of KING LEAR with Tim Pigott-Smith Ian Brown directs WAITING FOR GODOT, a more intimate but no less challenging play. His recent credits for the Playhouse include AS YOU LIKE IT, HAY FEVER for which Maggie Steed won a TMA award, WHEN WE ARE MARRIED with Les Dennis, a new musical version of THE SECRET GARDEN, Steve Waters' FAST LABOUR and the award-winning HOW MANY MILES TO BASRA?.
Talawa Theatre Company is Britain's foremost Black-led theatre company. Since its inception it has mounted more than 40 productions including African, Caribbean, American and British classics and exciting new writing.
The company focuses on giving voice to the Black British experience, cultivating Black audiences and audiences for Black work, and nurtures, develops and supports talent. Talawa's most recent production was THE COLOURED MUSEUM directed by Don Warrington. The last show in its 25th anniversary programme, WAITING FOR GODOT is the company's final production under the leadership of outgoing Artistic Director Patricia Cumper.
The Albany is South East London's most vibrant and diverse arts space, presenting a wide variety of events including music, theatre and spoken word. Continuing to build on its established reputation as one of London's most enterprising venues, this year marks the venue's 30th anniversary.
Waiting for Godot - Trailer on YouTube.
Opening times and tickets:
Waiting for Godot is playing in London at the Albany, Deptford between Tuesday 6th - Saturday 10th March, 2012.
Box Office 020 8692 4446 or
book online at www.thealbany.org.uk.
The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, London SE8 4AG
Nearest Tube: New Cross (Overground) or Deptford Bridge (DLR)
