Blood, Love and Rhetoric

“What is the last thing you remember?”

During CSC theatre program’s most recent production, “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead,” this question is repeated multiple times throughout the play as the audience is immersed in the confusion that the two main characters face for nearly the entire show.

In an altered version of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” the audience sees the story from the viewpoint of the couriers, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. In this absurd, tragic comedy, authored by Tom Stoppard, the action takes place outside of the Shakespearian story, with short appearances by the main characters of “Hamlet” enacting parts of the original scenes.

When the main characters are gone, however, the two become confused and have no knowledge of the action happening “on stage.”

CSC’s Wacey Gallegos, junior of Ainsworth, and Molly Thorton, senior of Riverton, Wyoming, playing Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, respectively, have dynamic chemistry and their interactions keep the audience entertained. Thorton’s monologues are well delivered and Gallegos successfully provides comedic interjections surrounding the somber subject of death.

Thorton’s performance of Guildenstern is wonderful and the interactions between the two are convincing. In a specific instance, the two are playing a question game and the repartee between the two is both intelligent and comedic, giving the audience something to think about the entire time.

Patrick Bergin, junior of Riverton, Wyoming, also gives an impressive performance as The Player. His characterization of the ‘omnipotent’ contributes to the theme and helps the audience break through the confusing banter of the couriers. The interjections Bergin makes concerning the plot during “The Murder of Gonzago,” a story within the story, are appropriate and humorous.

The Player is part of an acting troupe that is comprised of four tragedians, played by Jake Voorhis, sophomore of Miles City, Montana; Nathan Wojciechowski, junior of Gering; Jacob Wirth, senior of Sidney; and Brandon Bailey, sophomore of Rushville. These four are intended to team up to bring more clarity to the disorder Rosencrantz and Guildenstern create. Some of their actions provide distraction and there is a loss of focus, but they give an excellent show of portraying characters even without the use of dialogue. Their depiction of the hanging using puppeteer movements is impressive, moving, and believable.

The cast makes interesting use of the audience, and there is a well-choreographed sword fight scene that occurs between, Thorton, Gallegos, Bergin and Doug Valade, senior of Scottsbluff, who plays Hamlet.

The lighting mechanics are appropriate for the performance, especially during a scene where the cast finds themselves on a ship, and the score helps drive the plot and gives the scenes an extra push.

While the show lasts around two and a half hours, the time seems to fly by because the cast keeps the audience entranced. Guildenstern says, “Words, words. They’re all we have to go on,” so take my word for it, and go see this CSC production. It will be worth your while.