Endgame by Samuel Beckett at Pleasance Review

Endgame by Samuel Beckett is a must-see for theatre lovers. Flabbergast Theatre have put on an astounding production which portrays the bleakness of Beckett’s world to perfection. 

The play opens with Clov preparing to get his master up and ready for the day. The use of clowning in these opening scenes is genius. What would otherwise be a rather boring act for the audience, instead, elicits proper belly laughs which breaks the tension in the room. This was very surprising for a Beckett play - I had not come expecting to enjoy myself!

We develop affection for Clov and his simple, but hilarious ways, early on. Sadly, the peaceful, almost wistful air is shattered soon after,  when Clov unearths Hamm from beneath layers of dirty cloths and blankets as he sits motionless in the armchair, centre stage. 

He does not remain motionless for long, as he begins firing questions at Clov and demanding his painkiller. The elusive painkiller seems innocuous, until we learn at the end that there is no painkiller, and therefore no end to Hamm’s suffering. 

I must admit that prior to seeing Endgame, Waiting for Godot was the only Beckett play I was familiar with. I both loved and loathed the darkness that Beckett laid bare in the lives of his characters; Endgame is no different in that respect, you can feel the futility of the lives of Clov and Hamm coming off the stage in waves and there is nowhere to hide. 

There is a real sense of being in the living room with Hamm, rather than feeling the separation you would normally feel as a member of the audience. I believe this is intentional on the part of the director; as with Godot, I felt as though I were also living this play alongside the characters, instead of being a mere observer. 

Henry Maynard steals the show as Hamm; he embodies this desperate, cantankerous old man, showing both his cruelty (in the way he treats those around him) and also his vulnerability. At times, I could have wept for Hamm, which I believe is down to Maynard’s performance, as Hamm is a most unlikeable character. 

Nagg and Nell were cast perfectly, with both actors bringing their lines to life in a way which refutes the dispensable nature of these characters. Towards the end of the play, we realise that Nagg (Hamm’s father) has been an important figure in Hamm’s life all along. We hear the cry of the little boy he once was, calling out for his father who can no longer answer him. 

For those unfamiliar with Endgame, I would recommend at least reading up on what the play is about before you go. It will give you a greater understanding of some of the absurdist aspects, such as knowing that Nagg and Nell sit in rubbish bins because neither of them have legs. This is not referred to during the play, but it’s an important detail to know. 

The cast sometimes come out to the foyer to meet the audience after the show. This is a great opportunity to chat about the show and the themes that Beckett is so well known for. 

There’s nothing more I can say about Endgame except – book your ticket now!