Waiting for Godot – Liverpool Playhouse

Dominic Hill’s revival of Waiting for Godot, seen here at Everyman Theatre, reminds you why this play still divides audiences’ decades after its premiere. Samuel Beckett’s writing can feel elusive and, at times, deliberately opaque – but in the right hands, it becomes something quietly powerful.

The production opens on a stark, desolate set designed by Jean Chan. A fractured landscape stretches across the stage, dominated by the familiar solitary tree, here emerging from the wreckage of an abandoned car. It’s a world that feels worn down and forgotten, reinforcing the sense that time has stalled completely.

At the centre are Vladimir and Estragon, played by George Costigan and Matthew Kelly. Their performances carry the production. There’s an ease between them that never feels theatrical; instead, it suggests years of shared experience and quiet dependence. Their back-and-forth – sometimes comic, sometimes aimless – lands with an authenticity that draws you in, even when the dialogue circles.

The arrival of Pozzo, played by Gbolahan Obisesan, shifts the tone. Wrapped in a heavy fur coat, he cuts an imposing, almost grotesque figure, full of bluster and authority. In contrast, Lucky – portrayed by Michael Hodgson – is subdued and unsettling. Hodgson’s physical performance is particularly striking, conveying discomfort and degradation with minimal words, creating some of the production’s most uneasy moments.

Hill’s direction doesn’t try to make the play more straightforward than it is. Instead, he leans into its contradictions: stillness interrupted by sudden intensity, bleakness softened by flashes of humour. The result is a version of Godot that feels surprisingly accessible without losing its edge.

What lingers most is the relationship at its core. Vladimir and Estragon’s connection – built on routine, dependency and an unspoken fear of being alone – grounds the play emotionally. In a world where nothing seems to happen, their companionship becomes everything.

This isn’t an easy watch, and it doesn’t offer clear answers. But it does give you something to sit with. By balancing the absurd with the human, this production finds warmth in an otherwise barren landscape, making it both thought-provoking and affecting.

Waiting for Godot continues at the Everyman Theatre until 4th April. For tickets and more information, visit https://everymanplayhouse.com/event/waiting-for-godot/

Reviewer: Brian Madden

Reviewed: 18th March 2026

North West End UK Rating: