Arcadia – British Humor at its Absolute Best

Set in an English country house, Tony Award winning playwright Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia now playing at the Folger Theatre, tells the the story of two families that  lived in the same home, but at different periods of time.  The first family in the early 1800s, the second, during more recent times.

The modern day story involves two authors attempting to document unrelated events that happened 180 years prior in and around the estate. The tale flashes back and forth from modern day to the past as the authors attempt to recreate undocumented history, using the same, relatively uncharged sitting room.

Assumptions and desires to “publish” win out over completing solid research, little events become major historical points, unlikely assumptions are discarded only to prove true, lust and romance gets in the way while egos run amuck. Set to a story involving mathematics, the chaos theory, the discovery of thermodynamics, as well as Byron’s poetry and the history of English gardens Arcadia includes some of the best written dialogue I’ve heard in a play in a long time — witty, quick tempo and VERY, VERY funny.

Part mystery, part British farce, part Masterpiece Theater, all supported by blazingly fine acting.

Cody Nickell in the role of Septimus Hodge, the tutor of the daughter of the 1800s family, is magnificent as an intellectual mentor with little sexual control. Eric Hissom, playing Bernard Nightingale, the professor who is researching a theory (although a weak theory) about Lord Byron’s life reminds us of a Basil Faulty type from Faulty Towers, who’s consistently unable to get out of his own way, all with hysterical results.  Brilliant comedic timing and delivery acting skills made him so very likeable and a bit sympathetic.  Erin Weaver in the role of the 13 year old math prodigy, Thomasina, was also a strong presence on stage as she led the plotline.

So if you love British humor, take a visit to Arcadia and you’ll understand why it the run was extended through June 21st, and hopefully beyond.

Arcadia
Folger Theater
201 East Capitol Street, SE
Washington, DC (map it)

Dates & Times – Through June 21, 2009, Evenings Tuesdays – Sunday, with weekend matinee performances.  One hour before each performance, ten standing room tickets are made available at the box office starting.

Tickets – $25.00 – $55.00 – Many performances are sold out. Call 202-544–7077

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Capitol South – Orange and Blue lines, then a 4-block walk, or use the DC Circulator bus.

Parking – Limited metered and free street parking is available.  Paid garage parking is available along Pennsylvania Ave, near Third Street and at Union Station. 

Images – Courtesy of the Folger Theatre – Thomasina Covertly (Erin Weaver) and her tutor, Septum’s Hodge (Cody Nickell), in Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia at Folger Theatre through June 21, 2009. Lady Croom (center, Suzanne O’Donnell) critiques a new garden design as her guests and family look on (L-R: Cooper D’Ambrose, Erin Weaver, Stephen D’Ambrose, Michael Glenn, O’Donnell, Jared Michael Delaney, and Cody Nickell. Photos by Carol Pratt.  

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