Claudius and Gertrude discuss Hamlet with Rosencrantz and GuildensternClaudius and Gertrude discuss Hamlet with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (2015)

Written by Tom Stoppard

Scott Noble (director) revisited the play he directed and starred in ten years ago.  Following on from Hamlet at Traquair House in June, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern try to make sense of what is happening around them.


Ten Years On

Ten years ago Scott Noble directed and starred in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead during Shakespeare at Traquair’s 10th anniversary year.  This year Scott’s approach is very different to that of a decade ago.  This time around he is focussing on breaking down the famous fourth wall and blurring the lines between art and reality.  Rosencrantz and Guildenstern appear to be drawn, unexpectedly and unwillingly, into a play that unfolds round them, appearing to simply read scripts and put on costumes that are thrown on stage to them. As part of this vision many of the actors from this year’s promenade performance of Hamlet are returning to reprise their roles – but not Rosencrantz and Guildenstern – as though the realm of Elsinor created in Steve Russell’s production continues to exist independently of a theatrical show.