Arcadia

Set across a two century divide, in a stately home in the North of England, Stoppard’s play is a complex game of words – words pitched betwixt concepts of science and romanticism. And it could be the drabbest of evenings if it were not for the elegant humour and wit of Stoppard, a master of delivering probing and often acid thoughts with the lightest of touch. In a sense it is the script that is the star of the play and for that star to shine it needs a cast that do it justice, which in this case they do. Well almost. Not all the members of the company are as convincing as others at allowing the words to take centre stage. In the first act there were moments where the diction was sadly unclear and lines lost but by the second half things had much improved.

Clarity in that sense seems essential, but funnily enough the simple setting of regency splendour is perhaps too understated and, dare I suggest it, drab. This is no visual feast and at times I was tempted to close my eyes and simply listen. What the production does do though is see a new level of maturity from Theatre Royal Brighton Productions in association with English Touring Theatre, and one that makes me look forward to what they tackle next.

Theatre Royal Brighton, 3 February 2015

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