1. In The Wings

Frequently compared with Waiting for Godot, this is the play that made Sir Tom Stoppard's reputation when it first appeared as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1966. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern appear in Shakespeare's Hamlet, as the prince's unlucky attendant lords.

In Stoppard's comedy, these two minor characters must watch the action of Hamlet unfold before them as they stay in the wings trying to pass the time.

Rosencrantz ..... Mathew Baynton
Guildenstern ..... Andrew Buchan
The Player ..... Toby Jones
Tragedian ..... Sam Dale
Alfred ..... Ronny Jhutti
Ophelia ..... Sarah Ovens
Polonius ..... Michael Bertenshaw
Hamlet ..... Parth Thakerar
Claudius ..... Don Gilet
Gertrude ..... Clare Corbett

Music arranged and performed by Clare Salaman, Philip Hopkins and Amelia Shakespeare from The Society of Strange and Ancient Instruments

Director: Emma Harding

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2019.