THE HANGOVER REPORT – Bedlam’s astute revival of Tom Stoppard’s ARCADIA showcases the play’s dazzling brilliance

The company of Bedlam’s revival of “Arcadia” by Tom Stoppard at the West End Theatre (photo by Ashley Garrett).

This past weekend at the West End Theatre in the Upper West Side, I finally caught up with Bedlam’s Off-Broadway revival of Tom Stoppard’s 1993 play Arcadia. Taking place in an English country house both during the present day and the early 17th century, the work interplays the two periods, in the process engaging with big ideas (and their juxtapositions) such as Classicism vs. Romanticism, mathematics/science vs. emotion, the nature of time and truth, the destabilizing disruptiveness of sex, and so forth.

As arguably the finest of Stoppard’s large roster of significant plays, Arcadia exhibits both intellectual rigor and deep feeling. As such, the play – when done right – is a richly satisfying experience. There’s an expansiveness and an untamable sense of curiosity throughout that’s often exhilarating to behold. For the most part, Bedlam keeps things pretty straightforward during the first act, but unleashes its deconstructionist tendencies in the Act Two, including a disorienting shift in perspective (no spoilers here) that neatly plays into Stoppard’s themes. Astutely and intelligently directed by artistic director Eric Tucker, Bedlam’s playful and inquisitive spin on Arcadia works beautifully as a showcase for the play’s dizzying, dazzling brilliance.

Working as a true ensemble – an invariable trademark of the theater company’s approach to theatrical storytelling – the cast gives the difficult play a vibrant human pulse, at once fleshing out its intellectual musings and managing to generate emotional heat. The central quartet of performers are particularly exceptional – Shaun Taylor-Corbett as Septimus, Caroline Grogan as Thomasina, Zuzanna Szadkowski as Hannah, and Elan Zafir as Bernard – breathing vivid life into their characters without devolving into caricatures.

The revival has proven to be a hit for Bedlam, having been deservedly extended several times – now into the new year – due to popular demand.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

ARCADIA
Off-Broadway, Play
Bedlam at the West End Theatre
3 hours (without an intermission)
Through January 7

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

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