By Heidi Trautmann

For many months I have been waiting for the chance to see the play ‘Waiting for Godot’ by Samuel Beckett, and yesterday was the day, the International Day of Peace, September 01,2021. A play we are all in need of to tell us something, a play with the wonderful actors Izel Seylani and Yorgos Kiriaku, a play adapted and directed by Kostas Silvestros, Theatre Antilogos.

Why is this play so successful worldwide? Do read of some ideas under the link below just as I did, it is about the meaninglessness of life, the waiting for something to happen, waiting for Godot to bring a reason to go on. Who is Godot?  Is it God-(ot)?

https://www.thoughtco.com/waiting-for-godot-quotes-741824

The play is adapted to Cyprus, the language being Turkish and Greek, the dialogues between Gogo and Didi – each of them spoke in their native language and they did understand each other, you won’t believe it – were being translated on a wide screen into the other language. A hint that despite differences there is hope to an understanding?

The play has travelled across the island by now and was received with great appreciation.

The space of the market hall was full and new seats had to be brought forward for the hundreds of spectators, among them a busload of Greek theatre friends who had come over for the occasion with peace and love in their hearts as I heard them saying.

The two actors were Didi and Gogo with body and heart, and they won the hearts of the audience with their acting and I am sure they took them home seeing them as a unit. Somehow, they reminded me of Karagöz and Hacivat, the famous figures of our Shadow Theatre. They played through all levels of emotions, they fought and embraced, they danced and sang, they were sad and happy, they shared everything, even the last carrot, and they continued waiting together.

Yes, a most meaningful, eye-opening play. A big thank you.