Arts: The Week in Review: The Play - waiting for Godot

THE PLAY

WAITING FOR GODOT

Matthew Lloyd revives Samuel Beckett's defining 20th-century drama about two tramps waiting for something that will give meaning to their existence. Richard Wilson plays Vladimir with Brian Pettifer as Estragon.

"Richard Wilson's occasional extravagance of voice and gesture fits Vladimir's greater restlessness and never dominates the doughy dolefulness of Brian Pettifer's subtle and moving Estragon," opined Jeffrey Wainwright. "Lloyd's production is short on musicality... A good Godot rather than a great one," judged The Guardian. "While this is a production that elicits some of the gallows humour, never for a moment does it locate the terror or the despair," grumbled The Times. "Lloyd's beautiful production contains Mr Wilson's best performance in years," maintained the Daily Mail, adding, "not to be missed."

Backed by Lloyd's perfectly pitched production, Wilson and Pettifer are the consummate double act in Beckett's play.

Waiting for Godot is at Manchester Royal Exchange until 26 June. For bookings and enquiries call 0161-833 9833.