Theatre: Cheery Godot shuns Beckett's darkness

* Waiting for Godot Mick Lally Theatre, Galway * Death at Intervals An Taibhdhearc, Galway

Rory Nolan, Garrett Lombard, Marty Rea and Aaron Monaghan in Druid’s production of Waiting for Godot

Emer O'Kelly

At one stage in Waiting for Godot, Didi explains to Gogo the reason why mandrakes scream when their roots are pulled out; and that's how I felt while watching Druid's interpretation of the Beckett classic. Beckett's roots are pulled out and cast to the wind in Garry Hynes's new production.

That's not to say it isn't as manifestly professional as one would expect. It is also adventurous, which should be a compliment. But when the adventure seems to walk away from Beckett's nihilistic, grey purpose, it denies the play's soul. It's so "in your face" as to approach the burlesque, and indeed many of the physical sequences are very recognisably clown-based.