Endgame
Endgame
By Samuel Beckett
Directed by Richard Jones
Starring Alan Cumming and Daniel Radcliffe
‘Go and get two bicycle-wheels.’
‘There are no more bicycle-wheels.’
‘What have you done with your bicycle?’
‘I never had a bicycle.’
Nothing stirs outside. In a bare room, Hamm, an old, blind tyrant confined to a wheelchair, is locked in a stalemate with his servant Clov. Interrupted only by the nostalgic musings of Hamm’s ancient parents, this bleakly funny double act cling stubbornly to their routine of casual savagery and mutual dependence.
Richard Jones directs Beckett’s macabre comedy in which hope and cruelty are the last things to die.
VIP tickets available: £150 seats include a free programme and drink (a choice of one of 175ml house wine, pint of house beer or soft drink). Redeemed at box office with ticket.
- Booking Information
VIP tickets available. £150 tickets include a free drink* and programme. Redeemed at box office with ticket.
*A choice of one of - 175ml house wine, pint of house beer, or soft drink.
Join the cast in conversation after the show on 13th March - tickets here.
- Duration
2 hours and 15 minutes, including a 20-minute interval
Additional Details & FAQ
- Access Information
For Accessibility information please contact 0344 871 7628 or email access@oldvictheatre.com
- Cancellation Policy
No refunds or exchanges after booking.
- How Does It Work
Please print confirmation email and bring along with you to your performance.
- Suitable For Children
Suitable for ages 14+
- Where Do I Go
The Old Vic
The Cut, London
SE1 8NB
By Tube
Three minutes’ walk from Waterloo station, served by the Northern, Bakerloo, Jubilee and Waterloo & City tube lines, as well as the South West national rail line. Exit via EXIT 2 (Waterloo Road) and turn right; The Old Vic is straight ahead of you, approximately 220 steps away.
By Bus
Local routes include 1, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 68, N1, N171 and N68. Visit the TFL website to plan your journey.
Reviews
Su Doku
Mar 18, 2020
Minimal sets, small cast and some powerful acting. Not a mainstream production but enjoyable. Alan was particularly accomplished, some great physical moments from Daniel.
Manoella Souza
Mar 11, 2020
Unfortunately I couldn’t make because I’m have got asthma and the From The Box office couldn’t give me a credit instead of the waste of the ticket. That’s very insensible in those times of corona virus.
Izzy
Mar 8, 2020
It was humorously dark and the actors were incredible. Worth watching!
Yael
Mar 1, 2020
Great acting but nothing in this play to leave an impression. It just felt like mere utterances which occasionally resonated and which were sometimes funny. No coherence of a storyline so no emotional connection on my part. Shame that.
Julie
Mar 1, 2020
How can a play of such dystopian isolation leave an audience feeling uplifted? Thanks to the alchemy of an incredible combination of writing, direction and acting. We look into this mirror of humankind and we find ourselves wanting, but with the resources to still make change. As audience members we can do better; as a piece of theatre it was faultless. Thank you.
Sharron
Feb 28, 2020
Sorry, just didn’t “get” it
Smithige
Feb 27, 2020
Rough for Theatre 2 was simply amazing performed so very well and not how some Beckett is performed almost dreary. Both were on top form. Endgame was very different form other performances I'd seen. A great interpretation and the world they brought to life was a great version. Toweringly high walls.
Paul J
Feb 25, 2020
I had no idea what I was going to see. Had heard of beckett but didnt know his plays. The experience was one I'll never forget. The dash across Waterloo bridge to get there early enough to get a drink and pick up tix was mildly stressful (give yourself more time than I did. Very slick tix collection, super quick drinks service. I loved the theatre itself. Ornate but not too elaborate. Seats just the right side of uncomfortable. The buzz of excitement from a packed house was great. The first play I got a bit lost but a quick google at the interval filled in the gaps and I was able to appreciate what I'd just seen. Cummings was fantastic, comical and Radcliffe was good in support but AC stole the show. 25 mins in and we were at the intermission which confused me until I remembered it was a double bill. The main play endgame was truly memorable. DR was good in his role as Clov a suitable support to AC's Hamm. So much dialogue and so many soliloquies for AC. He was flawless and it was effortless for him as he carried the complex language with an competence that youd expect. Lots of funny bits. Karl Johnson and jane horrocks popped their heads out of two dustbins (hamms parents) at the front of the stage. Their touching relationship was heart warming and naughty as JH tried to entice her hubby into hankypanky. Hilarious. I could have watched her all day but her part was small (shame). The play was built around the complex and coercive control Hamm has over Clov. Touching, but disturbing. Absorbing and thought provoking. I'd never seen a beckett play before. I'll know what to expect next time. Old vic, thank you for the experience.
KALLUM MARSDEN
Feb 25, 2020
Only go to this play if you are sensationally up yourself in your 'arty'ness, love to laugh at mindboggling unfunny 'gags' and enjoy self-loathing tripe. Read about Samuel Beckett plays before you go to see this play. Impossibly unenjoyable. I would have loved to have fallen asleep, in the warm, delightful theatre but sadly the 'action' on set was keeping me awake. Daniel Radcliffe, Alan Cummings and the 2 other cast members were excellent - geniunely terrific acting. It's such a shame they were involved with Samuel Beckett's drivel. Move on lads!
Libbie Barr
Feb 21, 2020
Fabulous inventive afternoon, beautifully and artfully performed and stunning to look at. I loved both very differing pieces. A terrific matinee.
Argy
Feb 19, 2020
No words for the performances! Astounding, breathtaking really
Julie
Feb 16, 2020
I found Rough for Theatre II rather abstract & impenetrable overall, in spite of the immediacy of the prevailing situation & all the potential for... something to be revealed. I was disappointed. But right from the start, Endgame was an entirely different matter, intriguing me, drawing me into the madness, the existential and at the same time pathetic drama, posing questions that could sit with me in my unease, and remain unanswered but richly explored & somehow satisfied. Alan Cumming was superlative in his sadistic codependency, and Daniel Radcliffe a wonderful Clov, in all his tortured but welcome-ly comedic physicality. I loved it!
Joe
Feb 15, 2020
I have never had the experience of watching a performance feel so similar to torture.
Joshua
Feb 14, 2020
This performance was engaging,and from what I know of this play,well connected portrayal of an obscure group,in a place we know not where,they tried convincingly to find no meaning,but I found myself very much engaged in the character of Hamm,witty and self obsessed.
Jan
Feb 13, 2020
I really enjoyed both plays in this double bill and laughed lots, which I hadn’t necessarily expected with Beckett! All performances were first rate and always a pleasure for me to see wonderful Jane Horrocks on stage.