As part of the theatre's 80th anniversary celebrations, the Gate's acclaimed production of 'Waiting for Godot' will tour in September and October to 40 venues across the 32 counties of Ireland, playing for one night only in each venue.

This first-of-its-kind tour will take a hub-and-spoke format, i.e. on a nightly basis, the company will travel to the different venues from a base or central location where they will stay for one week at a time.

Alan Stanford, Johnny Murphy and Barry McGovern in the Gate's production of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot. Photo Anthony Woods.

Beginning in Enniscorthy and ending in Enniskillen, from the source of the formation of the Gate Theatre (where MacLíammóir and Edwards conceived the Gate Theatre) to the source of Beckett's genius (where he attended Portora School from 1920 to 1923), the tour, which will also mark the 20th anniversary of this now legendary production, will star the original cast members, including Stephen Brennan, Barry McGovern, Johnny Murphy and Alan Stanford.

Lisa Regan speaks to Alan Stanford about his 20-year relationship with Beckett

How has the tour been so far?

It has been just amazing. There has not yet been one empty seat on this tour. We have performed in everything from school halls to theatres, so you really just arrive at 6pm and have a look at what you have got! This is my 20th year doing it and I am overwhelmed by the response we have been getting.

Tell me about this adaptation of the play?

Well it is Beckett's own adaptation. He made alterations to the text in the 1970s and he requested that Walter Asmus - his assistant director on the famous Schiller Theatre production - direct. So this production is the child of Beckett's own writing. It is a natural development of a group, a concept and of a play by the man that wrote it.

Are you a fan of Beckett?

I am now!! When you do more of his plays, you find more in them. There are phenomenal layers to this piece; I mean it is a tragic comedy!

What have audience reactions been like?

Some nights they were sad, other nights there was laughter and then there are nights where it is a complete mixture of the two. Like the other night, we were in a school hall in Carlow and, by the end of the night, there were 350 people on their feet. That is just wonderful.

It is said to be the most significant play of the 20th century. Do you agree with this?

I think it is the greatest play of all centuries, as it redefines what theatre is all about.