ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD. Tragicomedy by Tom Stoppard. Directed by Jenny Brandt. Presented by Claremont Dramatic Society. At The Masque Theatre until 29 July.
SHEILA CHISHOLM reviews
Rosencrantz (Matthew Roy) and Guildenstern (Willie Blignaut) (R&G) are characters briefly appearing in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. They’re charged by King Claudius (Hamlet’s uncle who murdered his father and married his mother), to sail with Hamlet into exile in England. On landing, R&G’s instructions are to hand a letter from Claudius to the English King. When Hamlet discovers the letter commands his death, he writes another commanding R&G’s death. Hence Stoppard’s title – words taken from Hamlet’s last scene. That’s the gist of Tom Stoppard’s two act tragicomedy except he places R&G central focus – not Hamlet.
Witty dialogue
Czech born, British playwright Stoppard, noted for his verbal brilliance and structural dexterity proves this here. His witty dialogue and ingenious action, interweaving Hamlet’s main characters and slipping in lines from Shakespeare rightly places Stoppard’s intellect at a rare level. So it takes an intellectual director and a top-rate acting team to give R&G its full value.
Director Jenny Brandt and her 13 member troupe did Stoppard full justice. The plot requires understanding Shakespeare’s Hamlet to appreciate R&G’s muddle-headedness. They don’t always remember their own names and brilliantly interact sorting this out. Working out why King Claudius has summoned them to court also gave opportunity to laugh. But underneath the humour is a tragic undercurrent that demands concentration and careful listening.
As Rosencrantz, Roy not only captured Rosencrantz’s character, he looked and carried himself like Sir Walter Raleigh…a true Elizabethan. His Scots accent provided an excellent foil to Blignaut’s rather flat South African voice – which did perk up in the second act. Together their deliveries of complex, wordy, rhythmic soliloquies deserve honourable mention in the CATA awards nominations.
An excellent production
Shortly before opening night Patrick Jordi fell, breaking his wrist. Despite a braced left arm, Jordi, a true thespian, didn’t withdraw. Instead, he gave an excellent performance of the Tragedians Player. More convivial than menacing, Jordi carried through his belief that life is for acting through. Wayne Ronne’s emasculated Tragedian Alfred amused. Yet below the surface lay a sad figure, poorly treated by Player.
Unfortunately space doesn’t permit mentioning each players’ contribution to this excellent production. Suffice to say, well done. Do see.
What: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
Who: Claremont Dramatic Society
Where: The Masque Theatre
When: Wed – Sat, Until 29 July, 2017
Book: www.computicket.co.za, 021 788 1898, bookings@masquetheatre.co.za
WS
