Arcadia by Tom Stoppard, directed by Kathryn Hudson, production manager Debbi Szota will be the fourth production for the year. The Seniors’ preview is on 26th August. Opening night is 28th August, then Wednesday 1st September to Friday 3rd, Sunday 5th @ 2pm, then Wednesday 8th to Saturday 11th.
Arcadia begins in the stately home of Sidley Park in 1809. Lady Croom’s brilliant daughter Thomasina is being tutored by the handsome young Septimus Hodge whilst around them the grounds of Sidley Park are being transformed into the picturesque, landscape fashion of the time. From here we are transported to the present day where a corresponding collection of characters try to answer questions about the events of 1809. Considered to be one of Tom Stoppard’s best plays, Arcadia is a historical “who dunit” with a blend of literary history, chaos theory, landscape gardening all woven together by Stoppard’s brilliantly clever, witty dialogue delivered by a group of very human characters. The play shifts effortlessly between the two time frames keeping the audience on their toes trying to keep up with the unfolding puzzle.
Did Lord Byron kill Mr Chater in a duel? Who was the hermit of Sidley Park? Did Thomasina formulate Chaos Theory nearly two hundred years ago? These are some of the questions being asked when some modern day academics try to discover the truth with spectacularly wrong results. Stoppard manages to ask these and other questions in his usual style through witty and intelligent humour.
Bernard Nightingale: David Williamson;
Septimus Hodge: Darren Lester;
Valentine Coverly : still looking;
Thomasina Coverly: Jamie-lee Steele
Jellaby: Maurice Pepper; Gus/Angus: Alex Dunne
Ezra Chater: Jeff Harris
Captain Brice RN: Varis Lux
Richard Noakes: John Ashworth
Hannah Jarvis: Kylie Newton
Chloe Coverly: Elly Steinmetz
Lady Croom: Lisa Perritt
Last changed: 28th June, 2010 at 7:25 PM
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