The Stage

Mathias to direct McKellen and Stewart in Waiting for Godot

Published Friday 31 October 2008 at 11:45 by Lalayn Baluch

Sean Mathias, who has been announced as the Theatre Royal Haymarket Company’s artistic director for 2009, is set to direct Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart in Waiting for Godot.

The Samuel Beckett play, which will be Mathias’ first production in his new role after taking over from Jonathan Kent, will open at Malvern Theatre on March 5, before embarking on a national tour. It will transfer to the Haymarket on April 30, where it will run for a limited season until June 28.

Waiting for Godot is to be produced by the Theatre Royal Haymarket in partnership with Duncan C Weldon Productions Ltd. Further casting for the show and subsequent productions in Mathias’ Haymarket season will be announced shortly.

He most recently directed Triptych at the Market Theatre, Johannesburg and Southwark Playhouse, and Ring Round the Moon for the Southwark Playhouse. Previously he has worked with McKellen on Uncle Vanya for the National Theatre, Dance of Death in London and Broadway, and Aladdin at the Old Vic.

In London Mathias has directed plays including Talking Heads for the Theatre Royal Haymarket, A Little Night Music and Antony and Cleopatra for the National Theatre.