Sir Tom StoppardSir Tom Stoppard33rdrd July 1937 – Present Day July 1937 – Present Day

By Sarah Cleary, Lindsay Lovelock, By Sarah Cleary, Lindsay Lovelock,

Rachel Cowan and Natalie Rachel Cowan and Natalie Bennett.Bennett.

His LifeHis Life Born Tomáš Straüssler in Zlin, Czechoslovakia Born Tomáš Straüssler in Zlin, Czechoslovakia

(3/7/1937)(3/7/1937) He was the second son, father – Eugen, a physician He was the second son, father – Eugen, a physician

for Bata, mother – Martha.for Bata, mother – Martha. 1414thth March 1939 - Nazis invade Czechoslovakia, March 1939 - Nazis invade Czechoslovakia,

Straüssler’s leave and go to SingaporeStraüssler’s leave and go to Singapore 1942 - Woman and children evacuated prior to 1942 - Woman and children evacuated prior to

Japanese invasion. Goes to India.Japanese invasion. Goes to India. 1945 - Martha marries Kenneth Stoppard1945 - Martha marries Kenneth Stoppard 1946 - moves to England. Tomáš Straüssler becomes 1946 - moves to England. Tomáš Straüssler becomes

Tom Stoppard.Tom Stoppard. 1954 – 1958 Journalist on the Western Daily Press.1954 – 1958 Journalist on the Western Daily Press. 1958 – 1960 Journalist on the Bristol Evening News1958 – 1960 Journalist on the Bristol Evening News 1960 - decides to be a playwright.1960 - decides to be a playwright.

His Life ContinuedHis Life Continued 1965 – marries Jose Ingle have 2 sons1965 – marries Jose Ingle have 2 sons 1969 – leaves Jose and takes 2 sons1969 – leaves Jose and takes 2 sons 1970 – starts divorce proceedings and moves in 1970 – starts divorce proceedings and moves in

with Dr. Miriam Moore-Robinson.with Dr. Miriam Moore-Robinson. 1972 – wins custody of 2 sons and marries Miriam 1972 – wins custody of 2 sons and marries Miriam

and have their first son. They have 2 sonsand have their first son. They have 2 sons 1992 - divorces Miriam1992 - divorces Miriam 1994 - learns of Jewish background.1994 - learns of Jewish background. 1996 – his mother dies and his stepfather asks 1996 – his mother dies and his stepfather asks

him to change his name.him to change his name. 1997 – stepfather dies1997 – stepfather dies 1998 – returns to Czechoslovakia for first time 1998 – returns to Czechoslovakia for first time

with brother.with brother.(Kelly, 2002: pp.1-9))(Kelly, 2002: pp.1-9))

His PlaysHis Plays(Oddy, 2005)(Oddy, 2005)

After MargariteAfter Margarite Albert’s BridgeAlbert’s Bridge Another moon called EarthAnother moon called Earth ArcadiaArcadia Artist Descending a StaircaseArtist Descending a Staircase A Walk on the WaterA Walk on the Water The BoundaryThe Boundary Cherry OrchardCherry Orchard The Cross of UtopiaThe Cross of Utopia Dalliance; Undiscovered CountryDalliance; Undiscovered Country Dirty Linen / New-found-landDirty Linen / New-found-land The Dissolution of Dominic BootThe Dissolution of Dominic Boot The Dogg it was that diedThe Dogg it was that died Dogg’s our petDogg’s our pet Dogg’s Hamlet; Cahoot’s MacbethDogg’s Hamlet; Cahoot’s Macbeth Enter a free manEnter a free man Every Good Boy Deserves Favour; Professional Every Good Boy Deserves Favour; Professional

FoulFoul The Fifteen Minute HamletThe Fifteen Minute Hamlet The GamblersThe Gamblers HapgoodHapgood Henry IVHenry IV HeroesHeroes The House of Bernarda AlbaThe House of Bernarda Alba If you’re glad, I’ll be frankIf you’re glad, I’ll be frank In the native stateIn the native state

Indian InkIndian Ink The Invention of LoveThe Invention of Love IvanovIvanov Jumpers Jumpers Largo DesolatoLargo Desolato The love for three orangesThe love for three oranges M is for Moon among other thingsM is for Moon among other things Neutral groundNeutral ground Night and DayNight and Day On the RazzleOn the Razzle The Real Inspector HoundThe Real Inspector Hound The Real thingThe Real thing Rock ‘n’ RollRock ‘n’ Roll Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are deadRosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead Rough CrossingRough Crossing SalvageSalvage The SeagullThe Seagull Separate PeaceSeparate Peace Ship wreckShip wreck Shakespeare in LoveShakespeare in Love Squaring the circleSquaring the circle TangoTango Teeth Teeth TravestiesTravesties VoyageVoyage Where are they nowWhere are they now

Other WorkOther Work

Malquist and Mr Moon – NovelMalquist and Mr Moon – Novel Brazil - filmBrazil - film Empire of the Sun - filmEmpire of the Sun - film The Human Factor - filmThe Human Factor - film Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead -

filmfilm 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)(Moonstruck Drama)

Pros and Cons of Stoppards’ Pros and Cons of Stoppards’ WorkWork

ProsPros

The works are clever and The works are clever and entertaining entertaining

The works are well organised The works are well organised with special attention paid to with special attention paid to making sure they work on the making sure they work on the stage stage

Interesting thoughts and ideas Interesting thoughts and ideas addressed in the works addressed in the works

Most of the work readily Most of the work readily accessible, and the dramas accessible, and the dramas often revived.often revived.

ConsCons

Different versions of some of Different versions of some of the plays differ noticeably.the plays differ noticeably.

Many find much of his work Many find much of his work too complex and confusing too complex and confusing E.g. playing with doubles, E.g. playing with doubles, different (yet simultaneous) different (yet simultaneous) time frames, etc.time frames, etc.

Some find much of his work Some find much of his work too intellectual, and without too intellectual, and without enough heart.enough heart.

(Complete-Review,2002)(Complete-Review,2002)

InfluencesInfluences

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 Through his Novel: Lord Malquist and

Mr Moon.Mr Moon.““Wildean” ResponseWildean” Response

Techniques/StylesTechniques/Styles

TechniquesTechniques StylesStyles

““Plays of ideas”Plays of ideas”

Prizes and AwardsPrizes and Awards 1967   1967   Evening Standard Award for Most Promising Evening Standard Award for Most Promising

PlaywrightPlaywright

1967   1967   Plays and Players Best Play AwardPlays and Players Best Play Award     Rosencrantz and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are DeadGuildenstern Are Dead

1968   1968   Antoinette Perry Award for Best PlayAntoinette Perry Award for Best Play     Rosencrantz Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Deadand Guildenstern Are Dead

1968   1968   New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best PlayNew York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play     Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are DeadRosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

1968   1968   Tony Award for Best Play (USA)Tony Award for Best Play (USA)     Rosencrantz and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are DeadGuildenstern Are Dead

1997   1997   KBEKBE(Grindrod)(Grindrod)

History of the PlayHistory 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 One of his previous plays “Rosencrantz

and Guildenstern meet King Lear” was and Guildenstern meet King Lear” was rewritten to make this play.rewritten to make this play.

Produces the play and interweaves it into Produces the play and interweaves it into Hamlet – putting it into prose.Hamlet – putting it into prose.

MGM rejectedMGM rejected Idea for making a story with these 2 Idea for making a story with these 2

characters came from Kenneth Ewing characters came from Kenneth Ewing (Stoppards’ agent)(Stoppards’ agent)

(Slideshare, 2009)(Slideshare, 2009)

CharactersCharacters

RosencrantzRosencrantz GuildensternGuildenstern The PlayerThe Player PlayersPlayers HamletHamlet OpheliaOphelia ClaudiusClaudius GertrudeGertrude PoloniusPolonius FortinbrasFortinbras

HoratioHoratio AmbassadorAmbassador Courtiers and Courtiers and

AttendantsAttendants Player MusiciansPlayer Musicians

PlotPlot

Links to ShakespeareLinks to Shakespeare

Bored of Shakespeare at School. Bored of Shakespeare at School. (Kelly, 2002: p.27)(Kelly, 2002: p.27)

Discovered Shakespeare through journalism and Discovered Shakespeare through journalism and Peter O’Toole – Hamlet. Peter O’Toole – Hamlet. (Kelly, 2002: p.27)(Kelly, 2002: p.27)

The theme of the play within the play – Rosencrantz The theme of the play within the play – Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and The Real Inspector and Guildenstern are Dead and The Real Inspector Hound.Hound.

““Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.” The Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.” The Real Inspector Hound.”Real Inspector Hound.”

““Quotations of Shakespeare are artfully inserted so Quotations of Shakespeare are artfully inserted so that they seem like common speech.” that they seem like common speech.” (Gussow, 1999)(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 Recently converted The Merchant of Venice from a 3

hour comedy to a 30 minute play. hour comedy to a 30 minute play. (Arendt, 2005)(Arendt, 2005)

Work through & Activity!!Work through & Activity!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv5ZpRKkEnMv=Qv5ZpRKkEnM

Tom Stoppard CriticsTom Stoppard Critics

““punning, far-fetched, leaping from depth to punning, far-fetched, leaping from depth to dizziness”dizziness” (The Times, 2004)(The Times, 2004)

David Guaspari defends Stoppard’s styleDavid Guaspari defends Stoppard’s style "(I)n both "(I)n both Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are

DeadDead and and JumpersJumpers, his first big successes, one , his first big successes, one was aware of a Beckett-like regret for our was aware of a Beckett-like regret for our insignificance in the universal voidinsignificance in the universal void. . (Nightingale, 1998)(Nightingale, 1998)

"Stoppard's work invariably demands much "Stoppard's work invariably demands much from its audiences -- head, heart, libido -- and from its audiences -- head, heart, libido -- and credits them with the capacity to learn.”credits them with the capacity to learn.” (Reiter, (Reiter, 2001)2001)

Tom Stoppard CriticsTom Stoppard Critics

Tom Stoppard’s early work was Tom Stoppard’s early work was known for his lack of emotion.known for his lack of emotion.

““Stoppard - who is known for using Stoppard - who is known for using humour to deal with philosophical, humour to deal with philosophical, social and political issues”social and political issues” (Bentley, 2009)(Bentley, 2009)

BibliographyBibliography

Arendt, P. (2005) Arendt, P. (2005) Tom Stoppard cuts Shakespeare down to size for schools.Tom Stoppard cuts Shakespeare down to size for schools. http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2005/oct/11/theatre.shakespearehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2005/oct/11/theatre.shakespeare (accessed 05/05/09)(accessed 05/05/09)

Bentley, D. (2009) Bentley, D. (2009) Tom Stoppard 'totally rewriting Ridley Scott's Robin Tom Stoppard 'totally rewriting Ridley Scott's Robin

Hood'Hood' Coventry, UK: Coventry Telegraph.net. Coventry, UK: Coventry Telegraph.net. http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/thegeekfiles/2009/05/tom-stoppard-totalhttp://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/thegeekfiles/2009/05/tom-stoppard-totally-rewriting.htmlly-rewriting.html (accessed 05.05.09) (accessed 05.05.09)

Grindrod, C. Grindrod, C. Tom Stoppard: Prizes and Awards. Tom Stoppard: Prizes and Awards. http://www.contemporarywriters.com/authors/?p=auth254http://www.contemporarywriters.com/authors/?p=auth254 (accessed (accessed 07/05/09)07/05/09)

Gussow, M. (1999) Gussow, M. (1999) CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK; Tom Stoppard In Love, With CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK; Tom Stoppard In Love, With Shakespeare, Shakespeare, New York, USA: New York Times. New York, USA: New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/12/movies/critic-s-notebook-tom-stopparhttp://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/12/movies/critic-s-notebook-tom-stoppard-in-love-with-shakespeare.htmld-in-love-with-shakespeare.html (accessed 04/05/09) (accessed 04/05/09)

Bibliography Cont.dBibliography Cont.d Kelly, K. (2002) Kelly, K. (2002) The Cambridge Companion to Tom Stoppard. The Cambridge Companion to Tom Stoppard. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge Cambridge, UK: Cambridge

Uiversity Press.Uiversity Press.

Moonstruck Drama. Moonstruck Drama. http://www.imagi-nation.com/moonstruck/clsc46p.html#anchor97138 (accessed http://www.imagi-nation.com/moonstruck/clsc46p.html#anchor97138 (accessed 07/05/09)07/05/09)

Oddy, J.(2005) Oddy, J.(2005) Tom Stoppard (1937-)Tom Stoppard (1937-) Dorset, UK. Dorset, UK. http://www.doollee.com/PlaywrightsS/stoppard-tom.html (accessed 06.05.09)http://www.doollee.com/PlaywrightsS/stoppard-tom.html (accessed 06.05.09)

Slideshare (2009) Slideshare (2009) Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are DeadRosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead http://www.slideshare.net/literature.history/rosencrantz-and-guildenstern-are-dead http://www.slideshare.net/literature.history/rosencrantz-and-guildenstern-are-dead (accessed 07.05.09)(accessed 07.05.09)

Stoppard, T. (2000) Stoppard, T. (2000) Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. London, UK: Fabre and London, UK: Fabre and Faber Ltd.Faber Ltd.

Stoppard, T. (1993) Stoppard, T. (1993) The Real Inspector Hound ad Other Entertainment. The Real Inspector Hound ad Other Entertainment. London, UK: Faber London, UK: Faber and Faber Ltd.and Faber Ltd.

The Times. (2004) The Times. (2004) Ronald Bryden: Drama critic and dramaturge whose passion for the Ronald Bryden: Drama critic and dramaturge whose passion for the theatre brought him to Britain to find “essential Britishness”. theatre brought him to Britain to find “essential Britishness”. London, UK: News London, UK: News International Group. International Group. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article397897.ece (accessed http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article397897.ece (accessed 05.05.09)05.05.09)