Contemporary Legend Theatre ✕ Waiting for Godot
An endless wait, the ultimate inquiry into the truth of existence! A stage milestone infusing Eastern movement into Western existentialism.
One evening, on a country road, two tramps, Kuku and Titi, wait by a willow tree on a mound for "Mr. Godot." They do not know Godot, do not know why they wait, and are uncertain if or when he will arrive. In the prolonged wait, they pass the time with idle activities, even attempting to hang themselves in a state of confusion, eventually forgetting the original reason for their waiting.
At this moment, the nouveau riche Posuo passes by, leading his enslaved servant Lajie. Driven by curiosity, Kuku and Titi watch as Posuo commands Lajie to "think" in public. Lajie delivers a long, frantic, and fragmented monologue that nearly drives everyone to madness. Only after the three men pull off Lajie's hat does he return to silence. After the chaos, Posuo and Lajie continue their journey.
"Godot's messenger arrives with word, calmly telling Kuku and Titi: Mr. Godot won't come today, but surely tomorrow. As the sun sets and the moon rises, Kuku and Titi are left in disappointment, yet they still intend to return tomorrow to wait for Godot..."
The next evening, at the same time and place. The previously bare tree has grown four or five leaves. The two tramps return to fulfill their appointment. They continue to repeat their songs and games, even finding amusement in insulting each other, enduring the void of time once again.
Posuo passes by again with Lajie, but fate has played a trick: Posuo is now completely blind. Master and servant stumble into a heap; the pathetic Posuo begs Kuku and Titi to help him up. The tramps hesitate and negotiate with Posuo, hoping to make Lajie sing or think again, only for Posuo to reveal that Lajie has gone mute. The master and servant finally depart in their stumbling, lonely silhouettes.
❖ Finale ── They Do Not Move
Watching the two depart, Titi wakes the dozing Kuku. Kuku tries in vain to take off his boots, while Titi ponders deeply whether any truth exists behind this emptiness.
The boy messenger returns, but he claims to have no memory of meeting them yesterday. In utter despair, Titi shouts at the messenger, scaring the boy away.
As darkness blankets the world, Kuku and Titi say to each other: "Shall we go?"
Yes, let's go. (They do not move.)