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'''''Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead''''' (often referred to as '''''Rosencrantz and Guildenstern''''') [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosencrantz_and_Guildenstern_Are_Dead] is a play by British playwright and screenwriter Tom Stoppard (1937-) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Stoppard]. 

==The original play==

An absurdist, existentialist tragicomedy that expands upon the exploits of two minor characters from Shakespeare's ''[[Hamlet]]'', the courtiers Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Between these episodes the two protagonists voice their confusion at the progress of events occurring onstage without them in ''[[Hamlet]]'', of which they have no direct knowledge. First staged at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1966. 

==Translations and adaptations==

Filmed in 1990, directed by Stoppard with Gary Oldman and Tim Roth. The movie won the Golden Lion at the 47th Venice International Film Festival.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosencrantz_%26_Guildenstern_Are_Dead_(film)].

== Performance history in South Africa ==
1968: Directed by [[Leonard Schach]] for [[PACT]], [[Alexander Theatre]], opening 4 July 1968. The cast included [[Don McCorkindale]], [[Dale Cutts]], [[Siegfried Mynhardt]], [[Adrian Egan]], [[John Rogers]], [[Gillian Lomberg]], [[Kerry Jordan]], [[Paddy Canavan]], [[Anthony James]], [[Gordon Wales]], [[Frank Douglass]], [[Trevor Wayne]], [[Errol Ross]], [[Christopher Galloway]], [[Ivor van Rensburg]], [[Robert Lang]], [[George Jackson]], [[John Llewellyn]], [[Keith Spooner-Read]], [[Conrad Weavind]], [[Danny Keogh]], [[Caroline Harratt]], [[Annette Evans]]. Decor was by [[Raimond Schoop]], costumes by [[Aubrey Couling]] and choreography by [[Gordon Wales]].

1969: Staged by [[CAPAB]] in April 1969 in the [[Hofmeyr Theatre]], directed by [[Leonard Schach]]. Set designed by [[Keith Anderson]], costumes designed by [[Jennifer Craig]]. With [[Wilson Dunster]], [[Ralph Lawson]], [[Michael Atkinson]], [[Ken Leach]], [[Gillian Garlick]], [[Roger Dwyer]], [[Yvonne Bryceland]], [[Elliot Playfair]], [[Will Bernard]], [[Brian Kennedy]], [[David Goatham]], [[Ron France]], [[Geoffrey Burmeister]], [[Gaenor Becker]], [[Carolanne Morrison]], [[Barry Pluke]].
[[CAPAB]] staged [[Leonard Schach]]'s production in the [[Port Elizabeth Opera House]] on May 22 - 24, 1969.

197*: Staged by [[USAT]] in Stellenbosch, directed by [[David Schalkwyk]].

1978: Directed by [[Barney Simon]] for [[The Company]] production in August 1978 at the [[Market Theatre]], starring [[Frantz Dobrowsky]], [[Patrick Mynhardt]] (Player King), [[John Whiteley]], [[Richard Haines]], [[David Eppel]], [[Norman Anstey]], [[Rex Sevenoaks]], [[Leslie Mongezi]], [[Michael Maxwell]], [[Brian Darnley]], [[Elaine Proctor]], [[Ziona Garfield]], [[David Crichton]]. Designed by [[Chris van den Berg]], music composed and played by [[Colin Shapiro]], lighting design by [[Mannie Manim]].

1989: Directed by [[Mark Graham]] for [[NAPAC]] starring [[Eckard Rabe]] and [[Martin le Maitre]] with [[Roger Dwyer]], [[Frantz Dobrowsky]], [[Jocelyn Broderick]], [[Stephen Gurney]], [[Sandra Duncan]], [[Gavin van den Berg]] and others. Stage manager [[Tracy Willan]]. Set and lighting design by [[Edward Haynes]], costume design by [[Dicky Longhurst]], original music composed and performed by [[Neill Solomon]] and [[Stuart Wood]]. First performance in The Drama Theatre, The [[Natal Playhouse]] on 6 May 1989.

1993: [[Rhodes University Drama Department]] Honours student production of Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead directed by [[Adrian Poulsen]].

==Translations and adaptations==

== Sources ==

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosencrantz_and_Guildenstern_Are_Dead

''[[Teater SA]]'', 1(1), 1968 and ''[[Teater SA]]'', 1(4), 1969.

''[[Evening Post]]'' May 22, 1969.

[[ESAT Bibliography I|Inskip]], 1977. p 126.

Photograph held by [[NELM]] (1978 production): Photograph collection [Collection: MARKET THEATRE]: 2004. 30. 5. 125.

Photograph of Wilson Dunster and Ralph Lawson, 1969 production - NELM Manuscripts - [Collection: FLETCHER, Jill]: 2005. 75. 19. 50.

[[Wilhelm Grütter| Grütter, Wilhelm]], [[CAPAB]] 25 Years, 1987. Unpublished research. P 70.

''Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead'' theatre programme 1989 (NAPAC).

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