IMAGINE Last of the Summer Wine crossed with the best of Morecambe and Wise and you have something which approaches the essence of waiting for Godot. Two elderly tramps are filling their time by indulging in all sorts of foolishness while engaging in cross-talk like two comedians. Symbolism may be read into Samuel Beckett's play. It may be an analogy for waiting for life to end and it may equate with the futility of living and the necessity to keep going whatever frustrations befall us. But whatever else it is, Waiting for Godot is pure entertainment.

Like all the best comedians, Beckett centres on everyday occurrences and makes them both amusing and tragic. His characters may talk about trivia, but they do not talk nonsense. The tramps' exchanges have an innate logic.

Vladamir, played with instinctive understanding by Richard Wilson, is the more intelligent in the double act. He bosses Estragon - Brian Pettifer - comforts him when he is low and generally keeps the pair of them going.

Wilson's comedy timing is immaculate and when engaging in the many pauses, his facial expressions speak as loudly as words. Pettifer gives an excellent performance as Estragon.

Both men use Scottish accents which seem entirely appropriate.

Nicky Henson is a splendid Pozzo, the overbearing character who harnesses and drives the not-so--lucky, Lucky, played by James Duke. Duke is a slobbering Lucky whose bizarre "dancing" Vladamir emulates to hilarious effect.

As we all know nothing happens. The play starts and finishes waiting for Godot.

But as Beckett says it is a good way to pass the time. Although, as he also points out, time would have passed anyway, but perhaps not so rapidly. DOREEN CROWTHER

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