Endgame is the bleakest of black comedies, a post-apocalyptic nightmare in which a domestic tyrant presides over his obedient son and his hapless parents – both of whom live in barrels whose sawdust isn’t changed as often as is hygienic. The outside world – ‘the other hell‘ – is a place without Turkish Delight, bicycles or dogs and even the tides have disappeared. The four characters spend their time telling stories, bickering, winning minor battles against each other whilst losing some terrible war.
James Weisz‘s production is faultless: from its atmospheric bomb-site set, to its magnificent costumes in which one character’s wardrobe seems to embody three centuries of decaying English fashion. At the play’s centre is a truly heroic performance from Mike Goodenough as Hamm. Capricious in his seemingly random cruelties, self-pitying, given to tantrums that would shame a child, he’s an incredible creation and it’s hard to imagine it being done better than this imperious, scene-stealing star turn. That’s not to denigrate Goodenough, for it seems that an actor playing Hamm who doesn’t command your entire attention with the merest sigh probably isn’t doing the part justice. As the character’s name implies, he’s a consummate old-school actor and it’s been a fair while since I’ve seen such a purely theatrical and entertaining performance.
Duncan Drury is excellent as Clov, the put-upon son who does his father’s bidding without knowing why. Rory McCallum and Bridget Mastrocola both manage to be pitiable, grotesque and disarmingly funny as the barrel-bound parents.
This is a truly outstanding production of a difficult play. I have to confess that while most of the play was absolutely compelling, some parts were too abstruse or gave the feeling that the characters were treading water and occasionally my attention began to wander. But then I experience these lapses of attention during Waiting for Godot so it’s either something to do with Beckett, or just my reaction to his writing.
A theatrical cliche but I think Hamm would approve: this Endgame is an absolute triumph. If you want to see a genuinely first-rate production of Beckett you have until May 10 to get down to Emporium.
Continues at Emporium, 88 London Road, Brighton.
For more information and tickets click here.
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