Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot is coming to Hastings, Eastbourne and Tunbridge Wells and Theatre Nation – a Hastings based professional theatre company – is delighted to bring its touring production to their home county.
Ben Keaton – who has won the Perrier Comedy Award, been nominated for an Olivier, and featured as Father Austin Purcell in Father Ted – plays Vladimir and Waiting for Godot marks his return to the stage after a decade.
Ben will act alongside artistic director Patrick Kealey who will play Estragon, to Ben’s Vladimir, in one of the most astounding comic double acts in theatre history. Patrick chose this play because “Godot is the perfect blend of comedy and downright absurdity. Like all great plays, it’s always a play for our times. It never dates.”
Theatre Nation has mentorship at its core, and we’re delighted to welcome Jack Norris to the company. Waiting for Godot is his first professional production since graduating from drama school, and it will be exciting to nurture his exceptional talent.
Theatre Nation is renowned for creating innovative, interdisciplinary and exciting interpretations of classic texts. Waiting for Godot is no different. The central set element – the tree – will be created by sculptor Leigh Dyer. His public artworks can be viewed all over the country – including the prow of a Norman longboat on Hastings beach.
His tree is set to be a beautiful piece of work, and will provide a stunning environment for Beckett’s black comedy to play out.
Choreographer Yumino Seki will co-ordinate dance-like movement in the style of Butoh. This captivating Japanese style matches beautifully with the world Beckett creates. The absurdism and expressionism in both complement each other perfectly.
This physically dynamic production will be brought to life by Derek Elwood (David Glass Ensemble) who plays Pozzo, and Billy Clarke (who has extensive clowning experience) – to complete a highly experienced acting company.
Waiting for Godot is Theatre Nation’s third large-scale project, and is also the third to have been awarded funding from Arts Council England. This is in recognition of bringing high quality professional theatre to Hastings, and working with local professionals to create mesmerising theatre productions. Its 2018 tour of Hamlet enchanted audiences with its ensemble approach and casting of Emily Carding as the Prince.
Theatre Nation is also actively bringing bold new writing by writer/producer Tom Daldry to festivals and theatres throughout this country and abroad.
Show dates are as follows: White Rock Theatre, Hastings (March 25 and 26), Royal Hippodrome, Eastbourne (April 2), Trinity Arts, Tunbridge Wells (April 17). Tickets can be booked at www.theatrenation.org.
Image Credits: Theatre Nation .