Sir Tom Stoppard 3 rd July 1937 – Present Day By Sarah Cleary, Lindsay Lovelock, Rachel Cowan and Natalie Bennett.

His Life Born Tomáš Straüssler in Zlin, Czechoslovakia (3/7/1937) Born Tomáš Straüssler in Zlin, Czechoslovakia (3/7/1937) He was the second son, father – Eugen, a physician for Bata, mother – Martha. He was the second son, father – Eugen, a physician for Bata, mother – Martha. 14 th March Nazis invade Czechoslovakia, Straüssler’s leave and go to Singapore 14 th March Nazis invade Czechoslovakia, Straüssler’s leave and go to Singapore Woman and children evacuated prior to Japanese invasion. Goes to India Woman and children evacuated prior to Japanese invasion. Goes to India Martha marries Kenneth Stoppard Martha marries Kenneth Stoppard moves to England. Tomáš Straüssler becomes Tom Stoppard moves to England. Tomáš Straüssler becomes Tom Stoppard – 1958 Journalist on the Western Daily Press – 1958 Journalist on the Western Daily Press – 1960 Journalist on the Bristol Evening News 1958 – 1960 Journalist on the Bristol Evening News decides to be a playwright decides to be a playwright.

His Life Continued 1965 – marries Jose Ingle have 2 sons 1965 – marries Jose Ingle have 2 sons 1969 – leaves Jose and takes 2 sons 1969 – leaves Jose and takes 2 sons 1970 – starts divorce proceedings and moves in with Dr. Miriam Moore-Robinson – starts divorce proceedings and moves in with Dr. Miriam Moore-Robinson – wins custody of 2 sons and marries Miriam and have their first son. They have 2 sons 1972 – wins custody of 2 sons and marries Miriam and have their first son. They have 2 sons divorces Miriam divorces Miriam learns of Jewish background learns of Jewish background – his mother dies and his stepfather asks him to change his name – his mother dies and his stepfather asks him to change his name – stepfather dies 1997 – stepfather dies 1998 – returns to Czechoslovakia for first time with brother – returns to Czechoslovakia for first time with brother. (Kelly, 2002: pp.1-9))

His Plays (Oddy, 2005) After Margarite After Margarite Albert’s Bridge Albert’s Bridge Another moon called Earth Another moon called Earth Arcadia Arcadia Artist Descending a Staircase Artist Descending a Staircase A Walk on the Water A Walk on the Water The Boundary The Boundary Cherry Orchard Cherry Orchard The Cross of Utopia The Cross of Utopia Dalliance; Undiscovered Country Dalliance; Undiscovered Country Dirty Linen / New-found-land Dirty Linen / New-found-land The Dissolution of Dominic Boot The Dissolution of Dominic Boot The Dogg it was that died The Dogg it was that died Dogg’s our pet Dogg’s our pet Dogg’s Hamlet; Cahoot’s Macbeth Dogg’s Hamlet; Cahoot’s Macbeth Enter a free man Enter a free man Every Good Boy Deserves Favour; Professional Foul Every Good Boy Deserves Favour; Professional Foul The Fifteen Minute Hamlet The Fifteen Minute Hamlet The Gamblers The Gamblers Hapgood Hapgood Henry IV Henry IV Heroes Heroes The House of Bernarda Alba The House of Bernarda Alba If you’re glad, I’ll be frank If you’re glad, I’ll be frank In the native state In the native state Indian Ink Indian Ink The Invention of Love The Invention of Love Ivanov Ivanov Jumpers Jumpers Largo Desolato Largo Desolato The love for three oranges The love for three oranges M is for Moon among other things M is for Moon among other things Neutral ground Neutral ground Night and Day Night and Day On the Razzle On the Razzle The Real Inspector Hound The Real Inspector Hound The Real thing The Real thing Rock ‘n’ Roll Rock ‘n’ Roll Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead Rough Crossing Rough Crossing Salvage Salvage The Seagull The Seagull Separate Peace Separate Peace Ship wreck Ship wreck Shakespeare in Love Shakespeare in Love Squaring the circle Squaring the circle Tango Tango Teeth Teeth Travesties Travesties Voyage Voyage Where are they now Where are they now

Other Work Malquist and Mr Moon – Novel Malquist and Mr Moon – Novel Brazil - film Brazil - film Empire of the Sun - film Empire of the Sun - film The Human Factor - film The Human Factor - film Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead - film Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead - film Shakespeare in Love - film Shakespeare in Love - film If You’re Glad I’ll Be Frank – Radio If You’re Glad I’ll Be Frank – Radio (Moonstruck Drama)

Pros and Cons of Stoppards’ Work Pros The works are clever and entertaining The works are clever and entertaining The works are well organised with special attention paid to making sure they work on the stage The works are well organised with special attention paid to making sure they work on the stage Interesting thoughts and ideas addressed in the works Interesting thoughts and ideas addressed in the works Most of the work readily accessible, and the dramas often revived. Most of the work readily accessible, and the dramas often revived.Cons Different versions of some of the plays differ noticeably. Different versions of some of the plays differ noticeably. Many find much of his work too complex and confusing E.g. playing with doubles, different (yet simultaneous) time frames, etc. Many find much of his work too complex and confusing E.g. playing with doubles, different (yet simultaneous) time frames, etc. Some find much of his work too intellectual, and without enough heart. Some find much of his work too intellectual, and without enough heart.(Complete-Review,2002)

Influences His work is almost “Brechtian” His work is almost “Brechtian” Exposure to numerous films. Exposure to numerous films. Political Issues. Political Issues. Through his Novel: Lord Malquist and Mr Moon. Through his Novel: Lord Malquist and Mr Moon. “Wildean” Response “Wildean” Response

Techniques/Styles TechniquesStyles “Plays of ideas” “Plays of ideas”

Prizes and Awards 1967 Evening Standard Award for Most Promising Playwright 1967 Evening Standard Award for Most Promising Playwright 1967 Plays and Players Best Play Award Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead 1967 Plays and Players Best Play Award Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead 1968 Antoinette Perry Award for Best Play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead 1968 Antoinette Perry Award for Best Play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead 1968 New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead 1968 New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead 1968 Tony Award for Best Play (USA) Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead 1968 Tony Award for Best Play (USA) Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead 1997 KBE 1997 KBE(Grindrod)

History of the Play This play won him his first Tony Award. This play won him his first Tony Award. One of his previous plays “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern meet King Lear” was rewritten to make this play. One of his previous plays “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern meet King Lear” was rewritten to make this play. Produces the play and interweaves it into Hamlet – putting it into prose. Produces the play and interweaves it into Hamlet – putting it into prose. MGM rejected MGM rejected Idea for making a story with these 2 characters came from Kenneth Ewing (Stoppards’ agent) Idea for making a story with these 2 characters came from Kenneth Ewing (Stoppards’ agent) (Slideshare, 2009)

Characters Rosencrantz Rosencrantz Guildenstern Guildenstern The Player The Player Players Players Hamlet Hamlet Ophelia Ophelia Claudius Claudius Gertrude Gertrude Polonius Polonius Fortinbras Fortinbras Horatio Horatio Ambassador Ambassador Courtiers and Attendants Courtiers and Attendants Player Musicians Player Musicians

Plot

Links to Shakespeare Bored of Shakespeare at School. (Kelly, 2002: p.27) Bored of Shakespeare at School. (Kelly, 2002: p.27) Discovered Shakespeare through journalism and Peter O’Toole – Hamlet. (Kelly, 2002: p.27) Discovered Shakespeare through journalism and Peter O’Toole – Hamlet. (Kelly, 2002: p.27) The theme of the play within the play – Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and The Real Inspector Hound. The theme of the play within the play – Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and The Real Inspector Hound. “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.” The Real Inspector Hound.” “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.” The Real Inspector Hound.” “Quotations of Shakespeare are artfully inserted so that they seem like common speech.” (Gussow, 1999) “Quotations of Shakespeare are artfully inserted so that they seem like common speech.” (Gussow, 1999) He treats the original Shakespeare plot as a subplot. He treats the original Shakespeare plot as a subplot. Recently converted The Merchant of Venice from a 3 hour comedy to a 30 minute play. (Arendt, 2005) Recently converted The Merchant of Venice from a 3 hour comedy to a 30 minute play. (Arendt, 2005)

Work through & Activity!!

Tom Stoppard Critics “punning, far-fetched, leaping from depth to dizziness” (The Times, 2004) “punning, far-fetched, leaping from depth to dizziness” (The Times, 2004) David Guaspari defends Stoppard’s style David Guaspari defends Stoppard’s style "(I)n both Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and Jumpers, his first big successes, one was aware of a Beckett-like regret for our insignificance in the universal void. (Nightingale, 1998) "(I)n both Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and Jumpers, his first big successes, one was aware of a Beckett-like regret for our insignificance in the universal void. (Nightingale, 1998) "Stoppard's work invariably demands much from its audiences -- head, heart, libido -- and credits them with the capacity to learn.” (Reiter, 2001) "Stoppard's work invariably demands much from its audiences -- head, heart, libido -- and credits them with the capacity to learn.” (Reiter, 2001)

Tom Stoppard Critics Tom Stoppard’s early work was known for his lack of emotion. Tom Stoppard’s early work was known for his lack of emotion. “Stoppard - who is known for using humour to deal with philosophical, social and political issues” (Bentley, 2009) “Stoppard - who is known for using humour to deal with philosophical, social and political issues” (Bentley, 2009)

Bibliography Arendt, P. (2005) Tom Stoppard cuts Shakespeare down to size for schools. (accessed 05/05/09) Arendt, P. (2005) Tom Stoppard cuts Shakespeare down to size for schools. (accessed 05/05/09) Bentley, D. (2009) Tom Stoppard 'totally rewriting Ridley Scott's Robin Hood' Coventry, UK: Coventry Telegraph.net. rewriting.html (accessed ) Bentley, D. (2009) Tom Stoppard 'totally rewriting Ridley Scott's Robin Hood' Coventry, UK: Coventry Telegraph.net. rewriting.html (accessed ) rewriting.html rewriting.html Grindrod, C. Tom Stoppard: Prizes and Awards. (accessed 07/05/09) Grindrod, C. Tom Stoppard: Prizes and Awards. (accessed 07/05/09) Gussow, M. (1999) CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK; Tom Stoppard In Love, With Shakespeare, New York, USA: New York Times. with-shakespeare.html (accessed 04/05/09) Gussow, M. (1999) CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK; Tom Stoppard In Love, With Shakespeare, New York, USA: New York Times. with-shakespeare.html (accessed 04/05/09) with-shakespeare.html with-shakespeare.html

Bibliography Cont.d Kelly, K. (2002) The Cambridge Companion to Tom Stoppard. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge Uiversity Press. Kelly, K. (2002) The Cambridge Companion to Tom Stoppard. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge Uiversity Press. Moonstruck Drama. (accessed 07/05/09) Moonstruck Drama. (accessed 07/05/09) Oddy, J.(2005) Tom Stoppard (1937-) Dorset, UK. (accessed ) Oddy, J.(2005) Tom Stoppard (1937-) Dorset, UK. (accessed ) Slideshare (2009) Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (accessed ) Slideshare (2009) Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (accessed ) Stoppard, T. (2000) Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. London, UK: Fabre and Faber Ltd. Stoppard, T. (2000) Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. London, UK: Fabre and Faber Ltd. Stoppard, T. (1993) The Real Inspector Hound ad Other Entertainment. London, UK: Faber and Faber Ltd. Stoppard, T. (1993) The Real Inspector Hound ad Other Entertainment. London, UK: Faber and Faber Ltd. The Times. (2004) Ronald Bryden: Drama critic and dramaturge whose passion for the theatre brought him to Britain to find “essential Britishness”. London, UK: News International Group. (accessed ) The Times. (2004) Ronald Bryden: Drama critic and dramaturge whose passion for the theatre brought him to Britain to find “essential Britishness”. London, UK: News International Group. (accessed )