In a faithful but arresting interpretation Citizens' Artistic Director Guy Hollands teases out the dark humour of the work, playing to the strengths of its innumerable one-liners. Born from the frustration of writers block and an unfinished novel, Beckett entices us with his characters inability to take action and the ever present question - who is Godot and why are we waiting for him?

Toying with ideas of metatheatricality, Waiting for Godot is self-consciously self-referential, something which is subtly acknowledged in the design by Jason Southgate (The Bevellers, Hamlet).

The central roles of Estragon and Vladimir - often likened to a married couple who should perhaps have separated years ago or a comedy duo where neither is quite the straight or funny man - are played by stalwarts of the Scottish stage Kevin McMonagle (The Unconquered, Stellar Quines) and Gerry Mulgrew. Perhaps best known for his directorial work with Communicado, Gerry has more recently carved a niche for strong character performances, following his much lauded role in Ubu the King in 2005.

Also rising to the challenge of delivering this bleak and remorseless writing are James Ryland, Keith MacPherson from smash Fringe hit YELLOW MOON and William Ruane making a return to the Citz after his stage debut here in THE BEVELLERS.

Rarely performed in comparison with Beckett's later work, which lends itself more easily to smaller spaces, Waiting for Godot was last staged by the Citizens' Company in 1971 and TAG Theatre Company performed an all female version of the work at the Citizens' in April 1982. -- www.citz.co.uk