Play Details
Context
Artistic Director
George Devine
Translated By
Samuel Beckett
Original Language
French
Part Of
Sunday Night Productions Without Décor
Dates Performed
Tuesday 28th October 1958
Main House (Downstairs)
Play Details
Synopsis
An unspecified bunker in an unspecified time
“Endgame” is a one-act play that grapples with the impending end of the world, both literally and metaphorically. It puts characters in a tight space, forcing them to confront questions about life’s meaning as they sense the world crumbling around them.
Amidst this gloomy backdrop, “Endgame” dives into deep themes like death, decay, and the essence of being human. Surprisingly, it uses humor to shed light on the absurdity of our existence, making it a darkly comedic exploration of life when it feels like everything is falling apart.
Cast & Creative
Cast
Frances Cuka
Cast
George Devine
Cast
Richard Goolden
Cast
Jack MacGowran
Designer
Jocelyn Herbert
What our readers say
What is it like reading this play now?
Reading this play now, it still feels relevant and powerful. Its exploration of the human condition and the struggle to find meaning in a chaotic world is timeless.
What other media or art does it remind you of?
The play’s bleak and absurdist tone reminds me of films like “Eraserhead” and “Brazil,” while its exploration of the human condition brings to mind the music of Leonard Cohen.
If you like this play, you might also like…?
If you like this play, you might also like other works of absurdist theatre, such as “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” by Tom Stoppard or “The Bald Soprano” by Eugene Ionesco.
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