ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD
By Tom Stoppard
Director Hayley Horton
A comedy that’s serious… a tragedy that’s funny… an intellectual, existential think piece that’s a vaudeville…Shakespeare that, well…isn’t.
With wordplay that’s both philosophical and whimsical plus healthy doses of tumbling, stage combat, mime, physical comedy and coin tricks, Tom Stoppard’s play is humorous and introspective.
The play follows the misadventures of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two minor characters from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, who are inexplicably thrust into the spotlight. While Hamlet plots to overthrow his uncle, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern desperately attempt to figure out where they are, who they are, and what, exactly, is going on.
Director, Hayley Horton says “We’ve gathered a fantastic group of performers with diverse and extensive experiences. This ensemble has the goods to deliver the physicality, humour and pathos that a classic Stoppard piece requires”.
A theatrical experience that may well drive you “stark raving sane”.
CAST
ROSENCRANTZ Mark Healy
GUILDENSTERN Alex Antoniou
PLAYER Tim Williams
Elizabethans
HAMLET Nick Duddy
CLAUDIUS Gary George
GERTRUDE Michelle Nightingale
OPHELIA Chloe Zodrow
POLONIUS Peter Bleby
Tragedians
Shaun Castles
Bec Kemp
Dylan O'Donnell
Alyssa Peters
Leighton Vogt
DIRECTOR Hayley Horton
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR James Watson
What the Critics Said:
"Director Hayley Horton has brought a hilarious, intelligent, aesthetically pleasing production of “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” to the South Australian stage, witha cast that excels..."
"Guildenstern is played masterfully by Alex Antoniou. Healy had the perfect style and physicality for Rosencrantz, and never failed to make us laugh or worry at the right moments. The chemistry between him and Antoniou is just what it should be for this play."
..."not to be missed"
Thomas Filsell
Adelaide Theatre Guide
"The actors in Stirling Players’ production completely conquer the complexities inherent in this play and make it sing with dazzling brilliance".
"... this is a wonderful piece of theatre, full of laughter and brilliant insight"
Tony Knight
Stage Whispers