The Ravens Theatre Company is set to launch its second production, Samuel Beckett’s renowned work Waiting for Godot, at Castlemaine’s Phee Broadway Theatre this Friday.
The play is being directed by Janice Mueller who has had a stellar career in Australian theatre.
She has developed and directed new work for Malthouse Theatre, Belvoir Street Theatre, Carriageworks, Urban Theatre Projects, ATYP, Old Fitz Theatre, La Mama and Red Stitch, HAU Berlin, Sydney Festival and Queensland Theatre among others.
The cast includes theatre group co-founder Tim Heath, Gus Read-Hill, Luke Lennox and Tim Rogers.
Why Godot?
The Ravens have been been asked “What’s so special about Waiting for Godot?”. In a word they say, EVERYTHING. This is the play that changed the course of theatre in the 20th Century.
Imagine a pre-WWII theatre of polite conversation, staid dialogue and a predictably structured plot. Now imagine a 42-year-old Irish ex-pat and former French Resistance fighter turning that all on its head to write one of the most extraordinary plays ever created, where nothing happens, no one knows what’s going on, yet we as an audience still feel compelled to engage profoundly with both its humour and poignancy.
When the play was first performed in London in 1955, audiences didn’t know what to make of it.
Two years later, inmates at St Quentin Prison in the USA performed it and fell so in love with Beckett they started a theatre group just to perform his plays.
Now the play is considered a work of staggering genius, performed all over the world and thought one of the greatest plays of all time.
The team at The Ravens Theatre Company couldn’t be more excited that they’re giving Castlemaine audiences the chance to experience it.
Rock legend Tim Rogers will be starring as Pozzo.
Best known as the frontman of You Am I, Rogers has also worked extensively across theatre, film and television. His stage credits include Woyzeck at Malthouse Theatre and The Story of Mary MacLane by Herself at Griffin and Malthouse. His screen credits include Holy Smoke!, Dirty Deeds, MDA, The Boy Castaways and Tracks.
Rogers said he was excited to be involved in the latest production.
“To be part of an emerging theatre company with a friend I trust and the delight to be asked to audition – intimidation came later. It was pure enthusiasm and intrigue at the outset,” he said.
What will audiences get out of seeing this play?
“Befuddlement, amusement, some deep reflection and possibly a choc top,” Rogers said.
What have you learnt about yourself during the process?
“I have so much to learn….”
Why should audiences come and see ‘Waiting for Godot’?
“It’s a difficult play, but elementally rich if you can let yourself fall into Beckett’s universe. I’m walking around with a bemused smile on my dial ever since day one of rehearsals. I wish the audience all that same joy,” he said.
The show runs until October 3.
For tickets visit theravenstheatrecompany.org