Waiting for Godot follows two consecutive days in the lives of tramps Vladimir and Estragon, who divert themselves by clowning around, joking and arguing, while waiting expectantly and unsuccessfully for the mysterious Godot. 

Samuel Beckett’s surreal play exploded on to the London stage over 50 years ago when it shocked as many people as it delighted.

This production of Waiting For Godot returns to the Theatre Royal Haymarket where it was first seen earlier this summer, becoming one of the theatre events of the year. This time original stars Ian McKellen (Estragon) and Ronald Pickup (Lucky) are joined by Roger Rees (Vladimir) and Matthew Kelly (Pozzo).

McKellen, who made his Beckett debut in this production, is a hugely acclaimed screen and stage actor who has has worked extensively for the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre. In recent years he has been seen on the London stage in such diverse roles as King Lear and Aladdin. McKellen is perhaps best known for his iconic portrayal of Gandalf in The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, for which he was nominated for an Oscar.

Rees, who partners McKellen in Waiting For Godot, is a multi-award-winning actor who has worked extensively with the Royal Shakespeare Company and in the West End in productions including Nicholas Nickleby, for which he was awarded both a Laurence Olivier and Tony Award. He has also worked extensively in the US, where his screen credits include Frida, A Christmas Carol and The Pink Panther, as well as the series Cheers, Grey’s Anatomy and The West Wing.