Endgame

Play

Writers: Samuel Beckett

Overview

Show Information

Category
Play
Number of Acts
1
First Produced
1957
Genres
Drama, Dark Comedy
Settings
Simple/No Set, Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
bare house, present day
Cast Size
small
Licensor
Ideal for
one-act, small cast, french, College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, Mature Audiences, Mostly Male Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast
Casting Notes
Mostly male cast
Includes adult, mature adult, late teen, young adult, elderly characters

Synopsis

In a bleak house by the sea, blind and paralyzed Hamm torments his servant Clov, and his parents, Nagg and Nell. Hamm cannot stand up, while Clov cannot sit down. Nagg and Nell, who are legless and live in dustbins, cannot do either. Despite verbal abuse from Hamm, Clov is dedicated to the small family, and knows that they cannot exist without him. At the same time, Hamm realizes that Clov will have no purpose if he doesn’t serve them. Everyone threatens to leave each other, knowing that it will never happen.

Often viewed as the follow-up to Waiting for Godot, Endgame was originally written in French before being translated into English by Beckett himself. Set in a type of post-apocalyptic landscape, Endgame explores the same philosophies and theories of existence--specifically, the absurdity of life and its continuous repetitions without any meaning.

Lead Characters


Endgame guide sections