Marking 50 years of the Royal Lyceum Theatre Company, this unmissable production brings Beckett’s greatest play to life in the hands of a truly extraordinary cast.  The Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh presents:
Written by Samuel Beckett and directed by Mark Thomson
18 September- 10 October 2015
“What are we doing here? That is the questionâ€
Two of Scotland’s great stage actors – Brian Cox and Bill Paterson – star as Vladimir and Estragon in Samuel Beckett’s masterly black comedy.
On a bare country road, by a single tree, two down-and-out friends meet at dusk to await the arrival of the mysterious Mr. Godot. As they wait, they pass the time laughing at who they are, arguing over what little they have and speculating on the meaning of life. Their predicament would be absurd were it not so familiar.
In the 60 years since its first UK performance, Waiting for Godot has proved itself one of modern theatre’s great masterpieces. Deadly serious yet seriously funny, this elusive play continues to provide delightfully entertaining food for thought. Brian Cox and Bill Paterson are joined by John Bett and Benny Young in a stellar Scottish cast to present Samuel Beckett’s spellbinding black comedy.
This production also celebrates the 60th anniversary of the play’s first UK production and the transformative effect it had on Theatre thereafter.  In a poll by the National Theatre, Waiting for Godot was voted the most significant English language play of the 20th Century and it continues to provide delightfully entertaining food for thought
The show will be directed by Mark Thomson, Artistic Director of The Lyceum with design from Michael Taylor and lighting design from Mark Doubleday. Assistant Director is Stewart Campbell.
The full cast is Brian Cox as Vladimir, Bill Paterson as Estragon, John Bett as Pozzo, Benny Young as Lucky and Zak McCullough and Jack Dickson will play the part of Boy on alternate performances.
Brian Cox says:
‘It’s great, not to say a miracle to be returning to The Lyceum for the 50th anniversary. I was a founding member of the company 50 years ago as a wet behind the ears 19-year-old. The Lyceum was and still remains the most formative experience of my theatrical life.To be afforded the opportunity to observe and work with the greatest Scottish actors of their day. It introduced me to the tremendous heritage of world class theatre practitioners that is unique to Scottish theatre. This anniversary production of ‘Waiting for Godot’ very much continues that tradition with a tremendous Scottish cast. “
Bill Paterson says:
“Unlike Brian I wasn’t actually in that first 1965 production of ‘A Servant o’ ‘Twa Maisters’ but at least I saw a matinee on a day return from Glasgow! So, fifty years later, I’m honoured and delighted to share The Lyceum stage with him in the timeless masterpiece of ‘Waiting for Godot'”
PERFORMANCES & PRICES
18 September- 10 October 2015
Evenings:
Tuesday through Saturday, 7.30pm
£15 – £29.50
Matinees:
Wednesday and Saturday, 2pm
£13 – £25
For tickets phone 0131 248 4848 or book online at www.lyceum.org.uk
ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES
Touch Tours for visually impaired
Thursday 1 October at 6.15pm &Â Saturday 3 October at 12.45 pm
Audio-described Performances
Thursday 1 October at 7.30pm &Â Saturday 3 October at 2pm
BSL Interpreted Performance
Wednesday 7 October at 7.30pm
Captioned Performance
Saturday 10 October at 2pm
Post-show discussion
Tuesday 29 September  FREE No ticket required
The Royal Lyceum Theatre Company, or the Lyceum as it is fondly known, is one of Scotland’s leading producing drama companies. Established in 1965 it has gained a reputation for excellence in both classical and contemporary work. It is committed to developing the country’s considerable indigenous talents while presenting the best of international drama to the public. The Lyceum aims to reach a wide audience, whatever their age or experience of theatre going, and to enable them to access the richly imaginative world of drama. The Lyceum Theatre Company has worked with co-producers across the country including The Bush, London, the Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, National Theatre of Scotland, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Nottingham Playhouse, Horsecross Arts, Vanishing Point Theatre Company, Stellar Quines, Dundee Rep Theatre and Vox Motus.
Tel: 0131 248 4800|
Visit: lyceum.org.uk