A TAVISTOCK amateur theatrical group this week appealed for would-be actors and backstage crew to step into the limelight and take part in an ambitious new production, being staged at the end of March. The Tavonians are preparing to audition for the Tom Stoppard play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, which will be performed at the Wharf. Ali Fife, Tavonians director, said: ?This is a wonderful play. It?s an erudite comedy that will have the audience laughing out loud at times. ?What makes it funny is the text itself, it?s beautifully and cleverly written with wonderful double entendres, witty puns and absolutely brilliant interaction with ?bits? of Shakespeare?s Hamlet.? Ali said Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were two minor courtiers in Hamlet ? Stoppard took the two small roles and interwove them with what the character might be doing while, in effect, off stage. In addition to the two main characters, the play includes Hamlet himself and other members of his family and the court, plus the Tragedians, a strolling group of actors. Ali said: ?Ideally, I would like to get a cast of between 15 and 20 people altogether. The problem is that we had quite a large cast for the previous play we did, A Christmas Carol, so a lot of people may not be available to do another play so quickly afterwards ? and 15 to 20 is quite a large cast.? Ali said the two leading characters were large, crucial roles and would need performers who were good at learning lines. Although both are supposed to be men in their 20s or 30s, she intended to be versatile and have one of the main characters played by a woman. Other roles cover all age ranges and styles, so there should be something for everyone, from important roles like The Player, the leader of the Tragedians, to walk-on parts. ?The Tragedians are very lively, there will be lots of mime theatre and I want them to do some singing and dancing as well.? Ali said the company is also looking for a full stage crew: ?We very much need a person who is good with costumes. They are going to be quite elaborate, from the Elizabethan period, and very colourful. ?Props are also very involved ? there won?t be a stage as such, but there will be a lot of staging.? Anyone who would like to get involved in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, either on stage or off, should call Ali Fife on 01822 810897 (evenings) or turn up for the play reading today (Thursday) at 7.30pm in room 5 of the Alexander Centre in Plymouth Road. Auditions will be held on January 12 at 7.30pm in the Guide Hall in Bedford Car Park. The play will run from Wednesday March 29 to Saturday April 1. For more information about The Tavonians, go to http://www.tavonians.org.uk">www.tavonians.org.uk
