Abingdon Drama Club Presents Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, 17th – 20th April

by Tom Stoppard and Directed by Terry Atkinson

Acclaimed as a modern dramatic masterpiece, Tom Stoppard’s best known work, the absurdist tragicomedy Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, gives us much more than skin-deep laughs. It relates the story of two minor characters from
Shakespeare’s classic, Hamlet – the courtiers Rosencrantz (Kieran Madden) and Guildenstern (Chris Bedford) plus the Player (Michael Ward) and the Tragedians (Darren Fellerdale, Richard Wilson, Geraldine Hodson, Laura King, Erin Sanders and Dave Fardon).

Abingdon Drama Club’s excellent production of Stoppard’s classic is performed in the ancient and atmospheric Unicorn Theatre in Abingdon..

The action takes place mainly “in the wings” of Hamlet, with brief appearances of the major characters who perform fragments of the original’s scenes. Between various episodes, our two main characters voice their confusion at the progress of events taking place onstage without them in Hamlet, of which they have no direct knowledge. Stoppard has managed to make the futility of their actions drive the plot.

There is something for everyone in ADC’s production – from the philosophical meanderings of Guildenstern, to the wonderful slapstick scenes throughout the show.

“I love both the main characters – Guildenstern is the cynic, whereas Rosencrantz is more innocent and wider-eyed about the world”. He continues. “I love comedy and a challenge. Comedy, I find, is more difficult to direct than straight dramatic theatre. It’s a cracking idea, to create a play out of two very minor characters in Hamlet. I love the surrealist humour brought by Stoppard.

It’s a fast-paced show with, in my opinion, some of the best dialogue ever put on a stage.”

Director, Terry Atkinson

Terry is one of ADC’s most prolific members. He’s presently their chairman and his long list of credits include directing ‘Allo ‘Allo and playing the starring role in Shakespeare’s Henry V. The play was first staged at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1966. ADC’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead has it all – irony, tragedy and of course…laughs.

Group Bookings: Groups of 10 and over – All tickets £10 (£10.60 when booked online – just select the concession rate ticket and choose the number you require). Please let us know if you have any problems with your booking.

Available at The Bookstore, The Abingdon Precinct (15 Bury Street), Abingdon or online.