An update from the Old Vic:
“Whilst we have no reason to disagree with current scientific and government advice on coping with the Coronavirus, given the new travel and other restrictions in place it is nevertheless becoming increasingly impractical to sustain business as usual at our theatre. It is with great sadness that we have had to decide to suspend the presentation of Endgame for the next two weeks, which is the remainder of its run. All other performances are currently scheduled to go ahead as planned.
“The Old Vic operates in an unusual way for a non-commercial theatre in that it has no Arts Council support. Instead it is completely dependent on philanthropic donations, sponsorship and ticket sales. In light of this a full refund of all lost performances would be financially devastating for us, so we are asking all ticket holders for the cancelled performances to please consider donating the cost of the ticket rather than requesting a credit note or refund. For those who donate, we are able to offer a link to an exclusive video recording of the entire production of Endgame, captured earlier in the run, a private video message of appreciation from the cast, and a free Friends membership entitling you to Priority Booking valid for one year.”
Daniel Radcliffe and Alan Cumming star in The Old Vic’s revival of Endgame, Beckett’s macabre comedy about hope and cruelty, as part of an exciting double bill.
Endgame centres on master-and-servant duo Hamm (played by Cumming) and Clov (Radcliffe). Hamm is an ageing, blind tyrant who is confined to a wheelchair – but soon becomes locked in a bleakly funny and subversively devastating stalemate.
Interrupted only by the occasional nostalgic musings of Hamm’s decrepit parents, Alan Cumming and Daniel Radcliffe portray one of theatre’s most famous double acts at The Old Vic: both clinging stubbornly to their routine of casual savagery, but entrenched in their mutual dependence.
Endgame forms the first half of a double bill, performed alongside Samuel Beckett’s rarely-seen short play Rough For Theatre II. This will also be performed on the evening by members of the company. Richard Jones (The Hairy Ape, Into The Woods) directs.
The show sees Daniel Radcliffe return to The Old Vic for the first time since Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead. Best known for his roles in the Harry Potter film series, along with The Woman In Black and Now You See Me 2, Radcliffe’s starring turns on the stage also include How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying (Broadway) and Equus (West End).
Alan Cumming, meanwhile, has won numerous awards for starring in Cabaret (Broadway), along with Hamlet (Donmar Warehouse), Accidental Death Of An Anarchist (for which he received an Olivier Award), and Bent (West End). On screen, his credits include Goldeneye, X2 and Emma.
Delivering crucial plays of hope and cruelty, Endgame play tickets will be hugely sought after – and can be booked through Official London Theatre.