Arcadia. To 13 November.
ARCADIA
by Tom Stoppard
Bristol Old Vic To 16 October then Birmingham Rep 29 October-13 November 2004
Mon-Sat 7.30pm (7pm November 1) Mat Thu & Sat 2.30pm
BSL Signed 11 Nov 7.30pm
Runs 2hr 10min One interval
TICKETS: 0117 987 7877 (Bristol)
0121 236 4455
www.birmingham-rep.co.uk (Birmingham)
Review: Stewart McGill 28 September
Thoroughly intelligent production and strongly cast
Tom Stoppard's fascinating play Arcadia is given a handsome and thoroughly intelligent production in a first collaboration between Bristol Old Vic and Birmingham Repertory Company. Seeing it in the beautiful auditorium of Bristol's Theatre Royal on King Street is probably perfect in its reflection of Sidley Park, home of Arcadia's aristocratic family, the Coverlys, in 1809. Stephen Brimson Lewis has designed a simple yet beautifully elegant set that easily transmits the world of then and now.
This is Stoppard at his wittiest and most fascinating as events of the past are discovered in almost detective life style by present day researches and academics. What did happen at Sidley Park Why did Lord Byron do a runner What caused a historic tragedy? It is a compelling and very funny work well revived in Rachel Kavanaugh's fluid production. My last review at this address was for her rather lack lustre THE RIVALS but here no such thought and the beauty of co-production enables a first rate cast to people the play.
Loo Brealey is a well-known face from BBC Television's Casualty where her nurse Roxy has become a regular face. Here she easily crosses into live theatre as Thomasina heralding what could be an exciting future of young heroines. It's a fine cast throughout and if I mention the stunning work of Amanda Harris (Lady Croom) and John Hodgkinson (Bernard Nightingale) I am sure no one will take me to task but it is a strongly cast, excellently staged and memorably designed production.
Stoppard was introduced to theatre whilst working as a journalist in Bristol, he contributes a rather lovely piece for the programme on inspiration. It is most appropriate to welcome Arcadia to the Bristol Old Vic's new season and wish it well en route to Broad Street, Birmingham.
Thomasina Coverly: Loo Brealey
Septimus Hodge: Blake Ritson
Jellaby: Will Tacey
Ezra Chater: Simon Coates
Richard Noakes: Robert Goodale
Lady Croom: Amanda Harris
Captain Brice: Steven Elliot
Augustus Coverly: Jeremy Joyce
Hannah Jarvis: Hermione Glliford
Chloe Coverly: Amy Phillips
Bernard Nightingale: John Hodgkinson
Valentine Coverly: Nicholas Burns
Gus Coverly: Jeremy Joyce
Director: Rachel Kavanaugh
Designer: Stephen Brimson Lewis
Lighting: Hartley T. A. Kemp
Composer: Catherine Jayes
Sound: Jason Barnes
Movement: Jenny Arnold
2004-09-30 13:08:27