Death, hopelessness and isolation are explored during the last California Repertory Theater production of the season, “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.”
This comedy, by Tom Stoppard, is based on Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” However, it is seen through the eyes of the seemingly unimportant minor characters, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
Directed by Tom Cooke, this production revolves around Rosencrantz (Craig Anton) and Guildenstern (John Prosky), who land in the plot of “Hamlet” without direction for their future or remembrance of their past. In order to give contextual reference to “Hamlet,” Cooke incorporates scenes from Lawrence Olivier’s film version, which is projected onto a large screen on the back and center of the stage.
Also embedded throughout those clips are appearances from the actors of the play. The costumes, hair and make-up match the Elizabethan era portrayed in the film perfectly, which contributes a lot to the comedy. In many cases, the actors on-stage replicate the actions of scenes from the film.
The play opens with a clip from the film that first brings Rosencrantz and Guildenstern into the action of “Hamlet.” Evidently, they are unsure about what their purpose is. They pass time by flipping coins, and after many tries, Guildenstern notices a disturbance in the universe because all the coins keep coming up heads, to Rosencrantz’s delight.
From then on, the title characters struggle to decipher their place and time within the context of the action. Most of their time is spent stuck in one place with quick entrances and exits from the other characters like Hamlet (Mark Piatelli), King Claudius (Simon Brooke) and Queen Gertrude (Lysa Fox). Together, they try to collect and remember all the pieces of information from the other characters in order to accomplish their unknown goal.
Hilarious at most times, they have great difficulty figuring out what’s going on, what to do and even what their own names are. The level of isolation that exists for these two characters is so great that they do not leave the stage. They are physically and mentally stuck within a confined space in they have no control over.
Watching their struggle, confusion and attempts at free will is incredibly comical at times, yet there are underlying dark themes that intermittently come into focus. The theme of death appears multiple times by Rosencrantz, whose questions and fears of death are universal. Guildenstern brings up other ideas about having no control over one’s own life.
Infused with quick and witty dialogue, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s characters are unfortunate souls who are quite endearing. They leave the audience rooting for them even while they stumble towards their inevitable deaths.
Stoppard’s brilliant use of language, a modern twist on the classic Shakespearean language, is executed brilliantly by the whole cast. Throughout the confused ramblings of the two title characters are true moments of illumination in which one of the characters comes to a realization about life, death or something in-between. Woven between the hilarity are deeper themes that make the play more meaningful.
Overall, this production is as entertaining as it is important. The incorporation of the Olivier film clip offers great assistance for understanding the context of the play. However, a basic knowledge of the plot of “Hamlet” is useful.
“Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” will run until May 12. Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. The show takes place in the Royal Theatre aboard the Queen Mary. Tickets are $15 for students and $20 for general admission. The Queen Mary is located at 1126 Queens Highway. For tickets and other information, visit calrep.org.
