Arcadia

Although I was aware of Tom Stoppard publications Arcadia was not one I was acquainted with, therefore it was great to have all the information included in the programme which gave me an overview of the play.

This was certainly a complex play to produce set over two time periods. The stage was set as a room with a fireplace with a mantelpiece and table and chairs with various items, many educationally based, on. These props were well used during the performance. The backdrop was painted as formal gardens which were entered by the French doors. The easel on the side of the stage held the new garden design which Noakes was trying to encourage Lady Croom to choose on which at one point Thomasina sketches a hermit in the garden. This addition was later referred to in the modern period.

The first part of the play, set in 1809, relates the story of precocious 13-year girl old and her playboy tutor who regales us with his conquests. They are studying complex ideologies in mathematics and scientific theories which the young lady often challenges. These exchanges culminated in Thomsina questioning her understanding of a ‘carnal embrace’.

The young lady taking the role of Thomasina was a joy to watch, what a find for your company. She was perfect in the part; she delivered her lines with the confidence of someone with more years on her shoulders. Her interactions with Septimus were a joy to watch, she was cheeky, flirtatious and mischievous in equal measures. I shall look forward to her next performance greatly.

The actor portraying the vast role of the tutor did a grand job. He delivered the lengthy monologues clearly with an energetic presence ensuring the detail within them was available to the audience especially connections to his friend Lord Byron. He had an arrogant manner which was obviously enjoyed by many of the members of the household including Mrs Chater and Lady Croom Cloverly. Who was convincingly played by your actor. She had a haughty manner which fitted her class, she didn’t suffer fools and had strong views.

Ezra Chater a successful poet, as far as he is concerned, was played forcefully with a lisp. He was determined to have a duel with Septimius because of his dalliances with his wife.

Jellaby the butler was played correctly. He respectfully delivered the authentic letters to the family and happily gossiped to others. The actor portraying the gardener Noakes delivered his lines well and had good facial expressions.

Lady Broom’s brother Captain Brice looked great and tried hard to calm Ezra down, he played his part well. The young actor who played Augustus Coverly in 1809 and Gus Coverly in the modern day created two distinct personas.

The second part of this play is set in 2022 in the same house, the only element that changed was the level of lighting and the more active role of Lightning the tortoise.

The house is still owned by the Cloverly family but now has different visitors. An author Hannah Jarvis who is researching the house specifically looking at the hermit and Bernard Nightingale who is trying to prove Lord Byron had visited the house

The actor playing Nightingale created a believable character, his monologues were clearly delivered with passion and his interaction with the other players whether at loggerheads or romantically were convincing.

Hannah defiantly didn’t suffer fools gladly and she firmly dismisses any romantic advances towards her. She fashioned a strong, purposeful woman who was determined to succeed and took great pleasure in disproving Nightingale’s theories.

Chloe played the doe eyed love sick daughter of the Croom family with aplomb. She spoke clearly and attempted to get her theories across unsuccessfully to the others and succumbed to Nightingales desires.

The actor portraying Valentine was able to make the character his own. He demonstrated his intelligence and his belief that his studies into the ‘games books’ would prove Byron had been in Sidley Park. He also appears to acknowledge Thomasina’s theories.

The final scene in the play takes part in 1812 and the present day with both stories running concurrently. This scene pulls all the theories together discussions between Chloe and Valentine are related to some between Thomasina and Septimus. We learn from the modern day that Thomasina died on the night before her 17th birthday and Hannah’s discoveries discredit Nightingale’s theories. Eventually Gus’s discovery of one of Thomasina’s drawings which shows who the hermit was in the garden. There after the story concludes.

Notwithstanding this play being a very wordy one with lots of very complex mathematical theories and scientific language your team worked hard to create a wonderful piece of theatre.

The set worked well, the costumes were wonderful and all well-fitting, the hairstyles were on point and the period music added to ambience of the piece.

Your director obvious cast this piece extremely well, it was wonderful to see new members performing within your group. Many congratulations to all your team and Happy Christmas to you all.

 

Disclaimer 

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance and it is inevitable that his assessment will be affected by that knowledge. 

The NODA Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular, the performance.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre. 

 It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

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