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AUDITIONS - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead


With William Shakespeare's play Hamlet as the backdrop, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead concerns the musings and mishaps of the titular characters. The play is structured as the inverse of Hamlet, in which Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are two minor characters who were childhood friends of the Prince; instead, the duo remains the focus and Hamlet himself is a minor role whose actions occur largely offstage, with the exception of a few short scenes in which the dramatic plays converge.

In Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern operate under the King's command in an attempt to discover Hamlet's motives and plot against him. Hamlet, however, derisively mocks and outwits them, so that they, rather than he, are sentenced to death in the end. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead explores these events from the perspective of the duo; their actions seem largely nonsensical because they are superseded and, therefore, determined by Hamlet's plot.

In the absence of a compelling mission the two characters find themselves undertaking philosophical musing, playing word games and generally, trying to make sense of their place in this world.

Production Team
Director: Tony Petani
Assistant Director: Emily Keys
Stage Manager: Jason Blaine
Lighting: Fiona Reid
Costume: Merri Ford

Production Information:

Production dates: 8-11 October, 15-18 October 2025. 7.30 pm shows
Performance location: The New Fortune Theatre
Rehearsals commence: 5 August
Rehearsals: 10 am – 4 pm on Saturdays and 7pm – 10 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Auditions:

Auditions will be on the 24th of July from 6pm and the 26th of July from 10am - 2pm at the Bradley Studio at UWA. It will consist of a 15 minute audition window where you will present a warm reading from the selection in this pack. If the character you wish to audition for does not have an extract, please choose another. Lines do not need to be memorised, but a familiarity with the wording is expected. There will be printed copies of the extracts at the auditions, however feel free to bring your own if you wish. There is no requirement to perform a prepared monologue. There is the potential to get you to read a different extract on the day.

Roles & Requirements:

All ages specified are playing ages. Some roles have the gender presentation of the character specified, where it is not listed, it is open for all interpretations. GRADS has been given permission to cast the characters Rosencrantz, Guildenstern and/or the Player with actors other than men, however, the characters must remain the gender presentation in the script.

Some of the players may be doubled with the Royal court, but we would ideally have as large a cast of these extra-numeri cast as possible. If you know someone who is interest in getting a simple start in theatre, or just loves the fun of theatre, then please invite them along to take part.

CHARACTERS:

ROSENCRANTZ (Male 20s-30s) – a childhood friend of Hamlet. Has an innocent and optimistic outlook on life. Occasionally gormless and slow to pick up on things.
GUILDENSTERN (Male 20s-30s) – a childhood friend of Hamlet. Has a pessimistic view of the world but is very attuned to, and perturbed by the situation he finds himself in.
THE PLAYER (Male 40s plus) – a travelling player. Incredibly theatrical and over the top. Understands the world that R & G find themselves in, or at least, credibly portrays that he does.
HAMLET (Male 20s-30s) – Hamlet
ALFRED (Male Teenage) – A travelling player. Like the other tragedians he has fallen (or mor accurately, been pushed) into prostitution.
CLAUDIUS (Male 50s plus) – King of Denmark. Hamlet’s murderous uncle and usurper to the Danish throne. Regal and formal.
GERTRUDE (Female 50s plus) – Queen of Denmark. Hamlet’s Mum. More welcoming and approachable than Claudius.
POLONIUS (Male 60s plus) – An adviser of the Court of Denmark. Prone to verbosity and gossiping.
OPHELIA (Female 20s) – A lady of the Court of Denmark. Hamlet’s sometimes lover, Polonius’s daughter. Meets an untimely death.
HORATIO (Male 30s/40s/50s) – A courtier.
TRAGEDIANS/ENSEMBLE

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