About Absurdist Theatre?

Question

i dont know much about this theatre and im looking to learn more because i want to try and get out school play director to do the play 'Waiting for Godot"
does anyone know what the sets look like? what kind of theatres perform this?
any information

Answer 1

While I commend you wanting to do Godot I think most HS are not going to want to do Theater of the Absurd much less Godot. As the others have mentioned, the cast is small, and must be all male [Beckett and his estate will not allow cross gender casting].

Perhaps a different Beckett script like Endgame would work [6 roles- 2 female, 4-male].

A much better option IMO is Inonesco's Rhinoceros a large cast [usually a good idea in a school, more actors means bigger audiences] and the alienation theme is much more accessible than Godot.

Answer 2

Samuel Becket was a writer very keen on his text, he did not allow any deviation. And so do his heirs who handle the rights. That is not the case for the decor. However again he has described how he sees his play in detail. It is not an easy play to direct but you could try. Personally I advise you not to do it. The five characters are male but the part of the boy could easily be played by a girl.
Look in the library for books as Theatre of the absurd. You might hit upon something real good. Arthur Adamov has written some very entertaining plays

Answer 3

the set for Godot is a crossroads in the middle of a wasteland. It is very simple. But Godot is not a good school play because it has a small cast, all male, and is nihlisitic.