Samuel Beckett (1906-1989) wrote ‘Waiting for Godot’ , a classic of the theater of the absurd, after the outbreak of the Second World War. Then, as now with the pandemic, society had realized the fragility of life, which is why the work takes on a new meaning. This is explained by the protagonists of the acclaimed production directed by Antonio Simón.
Which premiered in Madrid, and which, as of this Wednesday and for three weeks, the Goya Theater stops It is an organic and classic proposal, faithful to the original, with scenography by Paco Azorín. “Look if it’s classic that we even wear a bowler hat,” says Pepe Viyuela.
who plays Estragón pairing up with Alberto Jiménez as Vladimir, those iconic homeless people who spend time asking themselves the same questions, waiting for something to save them that never comes, a reflection of human existence itself.
The solid cast is completed by another strange couple, formed by the cruel Pozzo, Fernando Albizu, and his servant Lucky, Juan Díaz.
A cast undoubtedly much more veteran than the one offered by the play at the Beckett just two seasons ago, starring Pol López and Nao Albet, directed by Ferran Utzet . “In ours, all problems with the prostate will be better understood,” Simon joked.
“The work reflects a feeling of uncertainty, fear and insecurity. It shows people who have missed the train, others who have gotten off it and some who want to get on but will it happen again?” refresh home.
His proposal has resonances from the silent cinema, the clown and the comedians of the Cervantine language. “It flees from metaphysical readings, but it is profound and very faithful to Beckett,” he explains.
The Irish author always considered his work “terribly funny”, recalls the director who hopes that the public laugh with it. “It seems that enjoying a work by Beckett is anathema but this work has many layers, it is between the tragic and the comic.”
For Viyuela, a versatile clown, it has been fascinating to penetrate a text as ambiguous as it is immeasurable. “The issue of failure is very Beckettian and very human,” he admits.
“Before the pandemic the play was seen in one way, now that need for the other that appears in the play touches us more, we all know that we are in the same terrifying situation and that we are not going to get out of it alone,” says the actor .
“And now that I am going through a difficult family situation because my mother is sick and has delusions, I see her situation similar to that of Estragón.” With Beckett they learn something new every day, recognizes his partner Alberto Jiménez.
“And after the pandemic, the public receives it differently.” They also live it in another way. “It is something very emotional. In each performance you have the feeling of living a unique moment,” he said, excited to be back in Barcelona, where he had not worked for 10 years.
