Above pic : The cast with Director Tui Clark (back row centre)
There have been quite a few writers who have taken characters from Shakespeare’s plays and reimagined them, the situations that they find themselves in, and their responses to them. None have done so with as much brilliance as Tom Stoppard with his play ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD, first performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1966.
This is one of those plays that are difficult to compartmentalise. Yes, it is post-modern, yes it is absurdist, there is rich vein of comedy, a knockabout, even vaudevillian sense of humour with Laurel and Hardy overtones, however in an overarching, over-riding way, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern wrestle with why they have been caught up in Hamlet’s drama, and can they find their way out of it.
This was an authentic production with impassioned performances. The two lead actors give accurate portrayals; Drungilas portrayed Guildenstern as very cerebral, intense, morbid, philosophical. Karen Pattinson’s Rosencrantz was more bubbly, optimistic and playful.
Pauline Gardner played the good natured (lead) Player who organised the troupe of actors who got together to perform the play, The Murder of Gonzago, which causes Claudius to have a guilt ridden, massive tantrum which seals his fate with Hamlet.
The remainder of the cast admirably perform multiple roles; Nash William played Hamlet and the Tragedian, Nathan Heinrich played the musician, tragedian and Claudius, Murphy Scott was Alfred, Polonius and a Soldier, and Andrea Pinnock played a Tragedian, Gertrude and Ophelia.
The creative team’s stagecraft was good. I particularly enjoyed director Tai Clark’s choice to use a see-through screen behind where puppets were used that played out ‘scenes’ from Hamlet. Clark herself did the set design, Wayne Chee lit the stage well, Helen Kohlhagen along with Clark did the character revealing costume design, Peter Tucker contributed the atmospheric soundscape, and Zoe Jin was the clever puppet and prop maker.
Stoppard’s idiosyncratic, classic work is well worth seeing, and Hunters Hill Theatre have come up with an impressive, colourful and vibrant production which, at the same time, does not avoid the darker cloud of existential angst that pervades.
Tom Stoppard’s ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD, as directed by Tui Clark, is playing the upstairs theatre at Club Ryde until the 14th September. Check the website for performance dates and times.
The next production at the Hunters Hill theatre, Club Ryde is a more traditional work, DRINKING HABITS by Tom Smith. Th show will be directed by Chrissie McIntyre and will play between the 14th November and the 7th December 2025.
Production photography by Dan Ferris.
www.huntershilltheatre.com.au
Pauline Gardner was excellent and authentic.