Samuel Beckett’s Endgame can be hard sell for some theatergoers. Its cyclical plot, rather unlikeable characters and lack of resolution could very easily turn many people off, but if they have patience and a sense of humor they may enjoy MU Theatre’s production directed by Cat Gleason.
One notable aspect about the production was its lighting. Lighting designer David Schneider subtly uses lights to immerse the audience in the world of the play and set up their outside world. The main source of light on the stage is a lamp that hangs above Hamm’s head. At times it seems as though that is the only source on the stage, the audience doesn’t realize that there are any others, until focus shifts to another character and it dims, then gets brighter and by the end of the play it eventually shuts off with one last flicker. Another great subtle use of lighting is in each of the two windows. They show two different scenes. Earth and the Ocean and as a result each has a brown and blue light shining out, respectively.
Another notable aspect of the production was the costumes. Costume Designer Shannon Palmer uses them to show not only the despair that the characters live in, but also the passage of time. All of the characters are dressed in these mishmashes of clothing that are clearly not for fashion, but instead for utility. They take what they can get and don’t expect any better. There is also a subtle recurring action where Clov leaves a scene and comes back wearing more clothes. The first time, he comes out wearing a vest, next a pair of boots and gloves and finally a jacket. This also usually happens after one of Hamm’s monologues, so I think it occurs in order to show that more time has passed than Hamm or the audience thinks, underscoring the idea that time is a relative concept. I think this action also shows Clov’s growing distaste and anger toward Hamm and how he is finally ready to leave on his own, even if the end is ambiguous.
One last aspect of the production I found notable was the scenic design. Scenic Designer Joe Drtina creates a bare and lived in world for these characters to inhabit that seems to question where the stage ends and the audience begins. Everything about the backdrop looks like this warped wood that has been around for years and could fall down any day. Much like the costumes this perfectly captures the despair and loss of hope present in these characters. The scenery suits the characters much like the sores on their face and their ramshackle possessions. One little detail I really liked was that the curtain enveloping the stage at the beginning is the same material as the drop cloths that lay over Hamm and the garbage cans housing Nagg and Nell, almost as if Clov taking the curtains off was as normal in his world as opening a window or waking up Hamm. It was a very cool scenic choice.
EXCERPT FROM REVIEW
Waiting for the End of the World
A sense of humor and a bit of patience will go a long way if you see MU Theatre’s production of Samuel Beckett’s Endgame directed by Cat Gleason. Gleason brings this dark and absurd tragicomedy to life in the very spare, barren world of a lonely old man’s house that feels almost post apocalyptic at times. It may not be the most straightforward play, but it really challenges audiences to find resolution or meaning where there isn’t anything to find. That makes for both a great performance as well as an experience unlike any other for the audience.
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