Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead

By Tom Stoppard

Directed by Robert Wallis

Performances: Tuesday 16 – Saturday 20 June 2026

Audition dates 

• Sunday 22 March at 6pm
• Monday 23 March at 7pm.

Recalls if needed - Thursday 26 March at 7pm.

AUDITION INFORMATION:

Audition pieces can be found here.

Familiarity with the material is encouraged, although memorisation is not required.

Please contact the director, Robert Wallis, at ptcrandg@gmail.com if you would like to audition but cannot attend on the official dates or you have any other queries.

AUDITION FORM

Please fill in the audition form here by Saturday 21 March.

If you are unable to attend please try to let us know at least 24 hours in advance for logistical reasons.

REHEARSALS:

Rehearsals will take place, mainly at Putney Arts Theatre, over evenings and weekends from early January until the performance. Actors should expect to be called for 2 to 4 rehearsals a week. It is assumed that if you audition you are available for all the performance dates.

First read through 1st April.

ABOUT THE PLAY:

Two minor characters from Shakespeare’s Hamlet suddenly find themselves at the centre of a story they do not understand and cannot seem to influence.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern pass the time flipping coins, trading riddles, and trying to figure out just what is going on with the Prince of Denmark. As they stumble in and out of Shakespeare’s tragedy, they encounter the mysterious Player King and his troupe of Tragedians, actors who embrace blood, death, and rhetoric as all part of the show – which is to say, life.

What begins as a comic rumination on chance and circumstance deepens into a haunting exploration of what it means to exist when your part is already written.

Tom Stoppard’s 1966 breakout is a dazzling blend of existential comedy, verbal acrobatics, and theatrical playfulness that reframes Shakespeare’s play from the wings.

Please be aware that the roles of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, in particular, are a huge commitment. They are the majority of lines in the play, are always onstage, and will be called for every rehearsal. 

This amateur production of “Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd www.concordtheatricals.co.uk

CAST BREAKDOWN:

Rosencrantz (20s/30s, any gender) – A charming optimist, emotionally open, eager to please.

Guildenstern (20s/30s, any gender) – More analytical and sceptical; clings to logic, rules, and patterns.

The Player King (30+, any gender) – Charismatic leader of the troupe; theatrical, philosophical, and darkly playful.

The Tragedians (any age and gender) – Versatile ensemble of six performers who inhabit multiple roles, embodying both comedy and menace. Ideally their number will include a drummer, a horn-player, and a flautist.

Hamlet (20s/30s, male) – Prince of Denmark; brilliant, mercurial, and emotionally volatile.

Claudius (40+, male) – The new king, a polished political operator who speaks with measured authority.

Gertrude (40+, female) – The queen; warm, poised, and socially adept.

Polonius (50+, male) – Advisor to the king; verbose, officious, and unwittingly comic.

Ophelia (20s/30s, female) – Polonius’ daughter and the former object of Hamlet’s desire; appearances are brief but charged.

Additional supporting roles, including Horatio, Ambassador, Soldier, may be dual cast with members of the Tragedians. We are especially interested in performers with musical, circus, physical theatre, or ensemble-based skills, such as instrument-playing, juggling, tumbling, clowning, and stylised movement.

Diversity, Inclusion & Casting Vision

PTC is committed to diversity and inclusion. We want a membership that is reflective of the diverse communities within London. We actively encourage all performers to audition for the roles which they feel best suit their skills.

Where ethnicities are not listed against the characters, we would openly encourage actors of all ethnicities to consider those roles.

COSTS

Please note that this is an amateur production. You do not need to be a member of Putney Theatre Company to audition, but actors and crew will need to become a member of Putney Theatre Company to take part in the show. That cost is currently £30 a year.

There is also a show fee of £35 which will need to be paid by all actors in the production, which goes towards the cost of putting on the show and insurance.  It will include a copy of the script should those cast not have their own.

We encourage you to become a member of PTC anyway, even if not cast.

Our company is run by volunteers and we expect all actors cast in a production to volunteer for Front of House duties at least once a year. Our shows could not go up without our Front of House volunteers.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

PTC knows that taking part in a show can be a significant financial burden. We are committed to being as inclusive as possible. So, if you would like to discuss how we can help you, a member of the committee will be able to confidentially assist. Please enquire for more information. Rest assured, if you have requested financial assistance, it will have no bearing on whether you are cast in the show.

OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

There are always other ways to be involved in the production other than auditioning. If you would like to be a part of the production team please email ptcrandg@gmail.com  

We are looking for people to get involved with the following roles:

• Props
• Costume
• Stage management
• Set builders
• Marketing