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This shall hopefully be our first big scale production.
Three of the four Company Founders have played either of the two title roles, in practical exams and we each warmed to Stoppard's vision. Personally, having also seen the amazing film, I feel very strongly towards this piece as a story that appealed to my hope and dreams of the theatre, I fell in love with the characters and story alike.
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The Writer: Tom Stoppard
One of the most talented and skilled writers of our time, with other plays like 'On the Razzle'. I had the great fortune of meeting Mr Stoppard himself, at the National, when we performed 'Les Juifs De Salonique'. My thanks to him for taking the time to talk to me, it was a great priviledge I shall never forget.
The Director Instinct.
The film has some of the most outstanding images that I have ever witnessed, the most prominant would have to be the shots of the paper scripts floating down. This begins as they adorn the Player's mobile-stage, with the paper bursting out from a little cupboard. The other scenes follow, the best of which is when the two are in Hamlet's chambers, with the paper falling down around them, it's stunning. You may ask what is the significance of the paper scripts, I don't know what Stoppard meant for them... but for myself I firmly would believe that they are the most magical element of the story. The connection to reality, the little reminders that it's a story within a story, and in support of the Player they are trying to wake Rosencrantz and Guildenstern up and make them aware that they know the events and ultimately what will happen to them.
The other sequence that I will never forget is of the two tossing the coins. For me it is one of the most intellectually written and performed concepts in entertainment history, each character has his own money pouch, and the beauty that their money continually travels back and forth between the two is timeless... as is their hope. To me the coin represents the predictable course of their lives; their desire and willingness for it to be 'tails', shows a want for something unpreditable to twist those lives... but is it to be, open your eyes to the magical beauty of the story and you will be amazed, as I was.
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The Story.
The story delivers us into the world of Shakespeare's Hamlet, but unlike any other before, Stoppard focuses on the limited characters of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and gives them a branch of their own. His imagination tells their story, background, and involvement in the events surrounding Hamlet transformation.
The duo have been summoned by the King of Denmark, at first unsure of his reason, they make their way into the service of the new King. For the purpose of aiding Hamlet recovery from his apparent 'madness', they are instructed, as his old childhood friends. On the journey they happen to meet a company of actors, under the command of 'The Player', who throughout the course of the film proceed to try and warn the naive pair of the events that will occur. Of course they do not take the hints, and their final exit is beautiful.
Above left: In my opinion, the best book series.
Above: A great programme.
Below: A show, with some moments of pure genius.
An adorable and tragic tale of two men, in the service of a false King, to save a Prince and a friend... but most of all, to save themselves.
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