[연극] 고도를 기다리며

Closed to Understanding, but Opened to Understanding

Is there any body familiar with the content not only closed to understanding, but also opened to understanding? In the world, there is not much literature having both features. In my interpretation, postmodernism, however, has caused such a phenomenon. The most representative work of the current is ‘Waiting for Godot’ by Samuel Beckett. Though I had read the original script of the play, I couldn’t say what my understanding of the play is.

Thus, I attended the Sanulim Little Theatre performance of ‘Waiting for Godot’ last October 7th. The play is performed by the same Sanulim theatrical company in its own little theatre in Shinchon. It was a great performance from an experienced troupe of actors who have specialized in that play.

The plot was the same as the original script written by Samuel Beckett. Didi (Vladimir) and Gogo (Estragon) are waitng for Godot in a vast field. They have been waiting for him for a long time, and they will also wait for him until he comes. Thus, their everyday life is all the same. They wait for him from the morning till the night. The composition of members, Didi and Gogo, does not change. Why do they wait? They do not know, so the audience also doesn’t know. They just wait. One day, Pozzo, the master, and Lucky, the slave, comes to Didi and Gogo, but they are not Godot. Then, they leave. After that day, they also come to Didi and Gogo, but the situation is quite changed. Pozzo became blind. Anyway, they leave again. Till the end of the performance, Godot does not come.

The quality of acting was superb. To me, the portraits of the actors were the most convincing among the plays, operas, musicals, and movies that I have watched in my life. The small scale of the theatre also helped my impressions. The actors performed just in front of me, so I could feel that they are “connected” with their characters. Especially, Didi was the most impressive. Among the four actors, the one who performed Didi was the oldest. But I could feel his passion and energy during the performance. Thus, after the ending, I delightfully gave him a big hand.

Among the technical aspects, the costumes of actors were the most realistic. Because the performance is a play, it did not need any special sound. Moreover, according to its characteristics, the lightning and make-up were not that much important compared to other musicals and operas. However, the costumes of characters gave the reality to the audience. Every costume was appropriate for each character by representing the traits of each character. To add, the only fixed prop of the play, a tree, also helped the audience to concentrate on the play.

Because of its excellent quality, the performance got a big hand from the audience. However, unfortunately, its trait of not having dynamic plot, the performance was a little bit boring. In my opinion, that is one of the reasons why the play is performed only in a little theatre which has about 30 seats. Because I went to the theatre on a holiday, Chu-Seok, about half of the seats were filled only. But the little audience was really enthralled with the performance.

In Korea, movies, musicals, and operas are more popular than plays. That’s why the play companies discount their tickets to lure the audiences. This performance was the same, so I recommend watching the performance. Though the play is still half-understandable, half not-understandable to me, it was a worthy experience watching the performance.