The surprising life of Samuel Beckett, our fundraiser round-up & more!

In this newsletter we take you into the surprisingly eventful life of Samuel Beckett, we look back at our fabulous fundraisers at The Bridge Hotel and the Phee, and we introduce you to Waiting for Godot's Angus Read-Hill.

The surprisingly eventful life of Samuel Beckett

Samuel Beckett — by Hugo Jehi

For a man who often wrote about nothing happening, Samuel Beckett's life was surprisingly eventful. He was notoriously laconic and reclusive, but his life was full of absurdities that would not have been out of place in many of his plays.

Born in 1908, Beckett moved to Paris as a young man and quickly joined the vibrant Parisian literary scene, becoming friend and secretary to the already famous James Joyce. Beckett is said to have been so awed by Joyce's genius that he froze whenever talking to him — presumably a disadvantage in his secretarial role.

As a thirty year old, Beckett was mugged in the street and stabbed. He was an accomplished boxer, but his pugilism didn't help him, and haunted by the attack he tracked down his assailant and asked him why he had knifed him. His attacker simply answered: “I don't know, sir” — the attack was one of life's random absurdities that would influence his later plays.

During the war, Beckett was a message runner for the French resistance and was forced to flee with his wife to avoid the Gestapo. Some believe his experience of the uncertainty of hiding from the enemy inspired the endless waiting of Estragon and Vladimir in Waiting for Godot.

Beckett's playwriting changed theatre forever, and only sixteen years after the premiere of Godot, his first produced play, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.

With characteristic reclusiveness, Beckett refused to accept the prize in person, called the decision a “catastrophe” and said he wouldn't know what to do with the money. Certainly not buy a new car — his beaten up old Citroën had by that time become as much a feature of his identity as his famously craggy face.

The cast of Waiting for Godot — Tim Rogers, Angus Read-Hill, Tim Heath and Luke Lennox. penny ryan photography

Q&A with Angus Read-Hill

penny ryan photography

Angus has been performing around Victoria in many iterations for the last 25 years. Some of his many hats include frontman and singer — currently with 11 piece band Smokers Run Faster — stage and screen actor, most recently in CTC's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, voice over artist, podcaster and regular radio host on MainFM. Angus plays Estragon in Waiting for Godot.

What interested you in performing in Waiting for Godot?

The chance to work alongside my dearest, oldest friend, Tim Heath, who is playing Vladimir, in such an absurd and funny play. A central theme behind all of the madness is friendship, so it was an easy choice. And to be part of the early days of a brand new theatre company. These are exciting times!

What will audiences get out of seeing this play?

There are some extremely funny moments amongst the misery and confusion. I expect a few laughs, a few groans and there is an outside chance we may even move someone.

What have been the most exciting discoveries?

Diving so deeply into the text of the play and realising there are almost no answers, only questions. And how amazing it has been to meet the rest of the cast and crew and forge new friendships while creating something so intensely special.

What have you learnt about yourself during the process?

To balance my life, work and love so that I can enjoy projects like this and have time to wash my underpants.

Why should audiences come and see Waiting for Godot?

To see the human condition displayed in all of its beauty is a rare experience. Waiting for Godot distills it in front of our eyes. Misery, tragedy, frustration and a little flicker of hope surrounded by high brow humour and a few fart jokes for good measure.

Fundraisers

A huge thank you to our donors

The Ravens is a not-for-profit theatre company. Every cent we make from our productions goes back to pay the artists, creative team and crew who have made the production possible. So your donations are incredibly valuable, and we could not be more grateful for the contributions our donors have made to the company.

We held two fundraising events. They could not have been more different from each other, but they showed the breadth of engagement we aim for in our wonderful community of Castlemaine.

Our very musical cast performed at The Bridge Hotel, and we were treated to exceptional musical talent, a great atmosphere and some appropriately absurd jokes. All proceeds from the gig have gone to supporting our company.

Then we welcomed donors to an intimate evening of song and cast Q&A at the Phee Broadway Theatre. It was so wonderful to share the evening with so many of our supporters, and all proceeds will go to developing outreach programs for schools and wider audiences and planning future productions.

Thank you so much to all of our donors, subscribers and supporters — your contributions make The Ravens possible and mean that we will grow into a sustainable theatre company for future years.

If you would like to be a donor or a sponsor, please get in touch.

We got merch!

Tote bags — $30. Printed by local legends Oni Streetwear in Hargreaves St, with two designs to choose from. Sturdy, with an internal pocket. Postage or local pick up.

Ravens pin — $8. Put a bird on it! Make those winter coats sing (or croak) with a show of support for Castlemaine's newest theatre company. Postage or local pick up.

Message us via our contact page with your order.

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From Castlemaine, with love —

The Ravens