Sydney Reviews

This year Bard on the Beach are performing Hamlet as well as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.  

Set underneath the stars in the Balmoral Beach Band Rotunda you could not dream up a more romantic setting for Shakespearian shenanigans. The waves rumble softly, bats fly over, possums and the wind rustle the leaves of the nearby trees lit from underneath by the theatrical lights. Mother Nature’s stage set is different each night. For Hamlet the wind was high and supported the drama of the tragedy unfolding on the stage. During Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, a moment of rain reminded us that although we were laughing at the interactions on stage there was a serious undercurrent. The beauty of this means that you could go and watch the each play twice and experience it differently.

The directors of this year’s Bard on the Beach productions, Ratricia Rowling and Kyle Rowling, have gone with the original costumes and taken both plays as they are. They present us with the classical Shakespeare without any added bells and whistles. There are no modern twists to one tale written over 400 years ago and the other set at the same time.

These two plays are so wonderfully supportive of each other you get more out one if you see both. Having the same cast playing the same characters gives the audience a sense of continuity. Things you may have missed in one play are presented again in the other from another perspective. The two, although written by different people and centuries apart are like long lost brothers. 

Watching the transformation of characters was a joy. Octavia Barron-Martin who plays Queen Gertrude in both plays did an excellent job of changing her demeanour ever so slightly to suit her roles. After seeing Hamlet the night before, watching her arrival on set in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead was one of my favourite moments of the show. 

Tim van Zuylen plays Rosencrantz and Josh Wiseman plays Guildenstern. In Hamlet they are only supporting characters. But in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead these two take centre stage. They make you believe that they have been friends since childhood. They play marvellously off each other and don’t miss a beat. 

All the backwash of my day was circling as I arrived at Balmoral. Did I hang the washing out?  What time are swimming lessons on Monday? It all vanished as I sat under the stars at Balmoral and watched this delightful theatrical version of Tom Stoppard’s 1966 play.

Both are worth watching so pack a chair, wine, cheese and a blanket as well as some cash as the actors are not paid, instead they rely on their performances inspiring donations. (Recommended $20 per person.)


Bard On The Beach present
The Tragedy of Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard

Venue: Balmoral Beach Band Rotunda
Dates: 15 January – 28 February 2016, every Friday, Saturday & Sunday night
Info: bardonthebeach.net/