Rosencrantz and guildenstern: still dead . . .

. . . but the play is alive and well

TIMOTHY BROWN STAFF

StoppardFest is upon on us and with it comes the Black Hole Theatre Co.’s rendition of Tom Stoppard’s most popular play, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. The play is about two minor characters (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern) from Shakespeare’s Hamlet and focuses on their actions while the events of Hamlet transpire. They are childhood friends of Hamlet and are ordered to kill the glum Danish prince, though ultimately he tricks them and they end up being killed instead. Because they’re such simpletons, and because they’re so oblivious to what’s going on around them, they rely on others to provide their lives with meaning. The play thus not only provides an interesting twist on a timeless play, but also raises some important existential questions.

Playing the parts of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Jeff Strome (Rosencrantz) and Simon Bracken (Guildenstern), both of whom have been involved in stage acting at the Black Hole for the last few years and are taking on their biggest roles yet. “It’s definitely the largest role that either of us have had,” said Strome, who last year had a minor role in the Black Hole’s production of The Winter’s Tale.

While both said they feel very fortunate to have very prominent roles, they also know the amount of work required for such roles. They have had a gruelling rehearsal schedule, averaging around 40 hours a week. “It’s very demanding,” said Bracken, who takes on the more serious side of the duo in the play.

As in the case of most acting roles, both Strome and Bracken are able to add their own personalities, or at least part of their personalities, to the role, adding an element that will most likely strengthen their performances. “A character’s never all you, but it’s a part of you. Guildenstern is my cynical, depressed side,” explained Bracken.

Both are nervous about performing such important roles, but they are looking past that nervousness and any other distractions so that they can give the best performances possible. “It’s one of those things you try not to focus on . . . you try to go in and do your job and go home,” said Strome.

The play is directed by Margaret Groome and Chris Johnson. Groome, a professor in the theatre program and English department here at the University of Manitoba, has been involved extensively with theatre as an actor, director and teacher for the past 30 years. Johnson also teaches here on campus and has done so, along with directing plays for the Black Hole Theatre, since 1979 — Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead being the 29th production he has been involved with in a directorial capacity. He is also the chair of the theatre program and artistic director of the Black Hole Theatre Company.

This is actually quite a bold attempt for a student-run theatre company: there are 25 cast members, which is a large step up from the Black Hole’s last production, Beyond Therapy, which had only a cast of six. It will be interesting to see how so many people interact on the stage, including the two stars. If you’re interested at all in checking out a fun and intelligent play, then Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead is the one for you.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead will be running from Jan. 18 to 21 and Jan. 23 to 27 at the Gas Station Theatre as part of StoppardFest (www. stoppardfest.com).