Paddy Sherlock Photo Theophile Collier
When Paddy Sherlock, singer and trombonist from the explosive seven piece swing outfit from the Coolin in Paris proclaimed that he was the first Irish man to be playing Waiting for Godot in French in Paris… it was quickly noted at an event to attend. How would this singing, dancing, flamboyant and very Oirish musician shape up in a serious and complex rôle revolving around word play in a French text (albeit written by an Irishman).
A week later on a rainy Thursday night in the front row of the laneway theatre in the 20th (Théâtree le Proscenium) it was time to find out.
I guess most of you know the play but for those who don’t, Waiting for Godot is Irish Samuel Beckett’s most well known work, written in French and studied and performed in multiple languages globally. Two characters, Vladimir and Estragon, find themselves in a barren landscape where they believe they must wait for ‘Godot’ under a certain bare tree for an important rendez vous. To fill time they debate, play, argue, think, fight and make up repeatedly and meet two strange characters- Pozzo a dictating bigot (well played up style camp- severe by Manuel Bonnet) and his ‘slave’, a salivating, beaten down old man Lucky (embodied fiercely and comically by Michel Robbe) who is silent apart from odd momnets of dance and diatribes of spoken thought. The closet they get to their Godot is via a shepherd boy messenger of Godot’s (played alternately by François Grange and Robin Peter) who appears only to defer the meeting.
The production, directed by Jean- Marie Russo, who also plays Vladimir is absorbing. It’s a traditional approach but one with works- apart from one or two very small moments that felt less authentic, the actors’ play is vivid, physical, skilful and emotive; their presence and interaction remarkably strong and sweeps the audience into each swift change of emotion rendering the the text (that could otherwise seem to be nonsensical)perfectly lucid, throwing up themes of companionship, power relations, control, love, desperation and hope.
Set design by Catherine Nadal is a simple but appropriate white plateau and metallic tree with subtle but very well designed lighting by Alexandre Boghossian that plays with colours, warmth, silhouettes and a backlights with a lovely starry effect in the second act.
Well cast and delightfully performed, Waiting For Godot plays until November 28 from Wednesday till Sunday at 20h and Sunday at 15h. Bookings 0140090677
Theatre le Proscenium 2 passage du Bureau (angle with 170 rue de Charonne) 75011 Paris.
And for the whole Paddy Sherlock experience, why not attend the Sunday matinee then head to the Coolin’ for a drink a dance and to see him in full blown jazz action. The Coolin– 15 Rue Clément, 75006
