“Arcadia” takes place in 1809 and 1812 and the present. It takes
the audience on a roller coaster ride between the times with two
sets of characters running with a plot that uses farce, mystery,
love, Newton’s physics and the chaos theory into a potpourri of
delightful words that must be given
complete attention or an integral parts of the story might be
missed. The piece takes place in both time frames in the same
delightful drawing room overlooking the garden of Sidley Park, on
an estate in Derbyshire, England.
“Arcadia” takes place in 1809 and 1812 and the present.
It takes the audience on a roller coaster ride between the times with two sets of characters running with a plot that uses farce, mystery, love, Newton’s physics and the chaos theory into a potpourri of delightful words that must be given complete attention or an integral parts of the story might be missed.
The piece takes place in both time frames in the same delightful drawing room overlooking the garden of Sidley Park, on an estate in Derbyshire, England.
In the first act we meet a bright, inquisitive student, Thomasina (Alison Walla) and her tutor, Septimus (Christopher Kelly) who is interested in most of the females in the household.
The next scene shifts to the present, (same set) with two historians who are trying to make sense of the writing and clues the occupants left from the previous century.
It is an interesting pendulum that shifts back and forth with the audience in on the correct facts while those in the present trying to solve the mystery and stagger through the plots and subplots they create themselves. The mental calisthenics of each set of characters and the blending of the story makes for is a unique presentation and an equally unique experience.
The last scene has the two sets of characters on stage at the same time completely unaware of one another, playing their own stories out as if the other was not there.
The cast is excellent although some chemistry between some of the characters is lacking.
Award winning Tom Stoppard’s writing is brilliant he is best known for “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead,” (1966) and his Oscar winning best screen play “Shakespeare In Love.” (1998).
Robert Kelly and Vicki Rozell’s delicate, detailed direction is a feat keeping this intricate production moving so the all the parts interlock like a giant jigsaw puzzle.
Duke Durfee’s set is beautiful and crosses the century of time well. The clouds in the background passing past from the high-styled windows are ever changing giving the feeling of the passage of time. Pamila Gray’s lighting adds just the right touch in each era to make the scenes believable.
Stoppard’s “Arcadia” has been lauded as one of the best plays of the past quarter-century. It is most certainly entertaining and thought-provoking with depth and not the usual fluffy bits and pieces that most drawing room productions offer.
