What did everyone think of "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead"?
By init_towinit
@init_towinit (53)
United States
October 2, 2008 12:29pm CST
This is on a side note since I mentioned Hamlet earlier. I thought it was entertaining. You can't compare contemporary plays with Shakespeare plays even if the contemporary play is based on Shakespeare! Both main characters got a little annoying in different parts of the play but liked that the author took two non-essentials and made them the subject in his own work (Tom Stoppard, spelling?). What did everyone else think of it?
1 person likes this
2 responses
@ShardAerliss (1488)
•
2 Oct 08
I love "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern..." Though this is partly due to the fact my am-dram society put it on a couple of years ago. The comedy is dry, even when it's being slap-stick. The script is slick and, while it manages to hold onto it's Shakespearian roots, it's a little less... dense and easier on the modern ear.
I've never read/seen Hamlet all the way through (despite owning three movie/TV versions and a copy of the play *fail*) but I understood everything that was going on, which is just a big thumbs up to Stoppard.
So yeah, I think it's a great play... and if our am-dram soc could put it on and make people laugh, anyone can do it!
1 person likes this
@init_towinit (53)
• United States
2 Oct 08
You haven't read Hamlet?? Aww...I guess you have time. I've read and seen Hamlet. I read it a couple of times each year. I just really like it. But I've only read the R&GAD play. I was supposed to go see it with some friends a while back but my flight home was delayed so I missed out on it. I wonder if youtube has any clips of the play...
@unusualsuspect (2602)
• United States
2 Oct 08
It's always been one of my top favorites. I love the script and it doesn't hurt that Gary Oldman and Tim Roth are both on my favorite actors lists. Part of the fun is knowing the original play so that you can apprecate Stoppard's tweaks. I waited a long time for it to come out on DVD and finally got it this year. If you enjoy interviews, the ones on the DVD are excellent and increased my respect for both actors.
