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A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE
Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy / 2w, 14m
Tom Stoppard
A modern masterpiece, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead is the fabulously inventive tale of Hamlet as told from the worm’s-eye view of two minor characters in Shakespeare’s play.
Image: 2017 OId Vic Production (Tristram Kenton)
Winner! Four 1968 Tony Awards, including Best PlayNominee: Eight 1968 Tony AwardsWinner! 1968 NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best PlayWInner! 1969 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Production
Acclaimed as a modern dramatic masterpiece, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead is the fabulously inventive tale of Hamlet as told from the worm’s-eye view of the bewildered Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two minor characters in Shakespeare’s play. In the great Tom Stoppard’s best-known work, this Shakespearean Laurel and Hardy finally get a chance to take the lead role, but do so in a world where reality and illusion are entwined, and where fate leads our two heroes to a tragic but inevitable end.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead premiered with the Oxford Theatre Group at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival on 24 August 1966. Shortly thereafter, on 11 April 1967, it opened in the West End at the Old Vic. On 16 October 1967, the play had its Broadway premiered at the Alvin Theatre.
ROSENCRANTZ and GUILDENSTERN – A pair of schoolmates and childhood friends of HamletTHE PLAYER – A traveling actorHAMLET – The Prince of DenmarkTRAGEDIANS – Traveling with The Player, including AlfredKING CLAUDIUS – The King of Denmark, Hamlet’s uncle and stepfatherGERTRUDE – The Queen of Denmark, and Hamlet’s motherPOLONIUS – Claudius’ chief adviserOPHELIA – Polonius’ daughterHORATIO – A friend and schoolmate of HamletFORTINBRAS – Nephew of the King of NorwaySOLDIERS, COURTIERS and MUSICIANS
There is room for extra courtiers, soldiers and musicians.
Within and around the action of Hamlet.
“A stimulating, funny, imaginative comedy.” – New York Daily News
“Very funny, very brilliant, very chilling; it has the dust of thought about it and the particles glitter excitingly in the theatrical air.” – The New York Times
“A pithy and witty theatrical trick.” – The Guardian
Tom Stoppard on Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern on Film – Playing Questions
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern – 2017 Old Vic Trailer
Tom Stoppard (1937-2025) – Stoppard’s most recent play, Leopoldstadt, opened at Wyndham's Theatre in 2020 and transferred to Broadway in 2022. It won multiple Awards, including an Olivier Award and Tony Award for Best Play. He wrote his first play, Enter a Free Man, whilst wo ...