An evening as engaging, witty, and thought-provoking, as one of Stoppard’s plays.
Presented by: Writers Week
Reviewed: 3 March, 2023
Sir Tom Stoppard is one of the icons of English-language theatre. From his first play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, in 1967, Stoppard’s works have been regarded as some of the most intelligent, witty, surprising, and moving, of the British theatrical canon. His latest, Leopoldstadt, has triumphed wherever it has been performed.
Stoppard aficionado Professor Glyn Davis AC, Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, travelled to London earlier in the year to interview Sir Tom and his biographer, Dame Hermione Lee. That conversation was recorded, to be shown last night as the first part of A Celebration of the Life and Work of Tom Stoppard.
Davis is an excellent interviewer, not only asking concise and interesting questions, but also holding space for his interviewees, to allow for thinking and pauses. This makes for a very natural feeling conversation, with many delightful asides between Stoppard and Lee. Subjects ranged across a broad spectrum, but the undercurrent of discussion was biography itself, and how a biography cannot, and should not seek to, encapsulate a whole life. This also fed into a discussion of Leopoldstadt, which is arguably his most autobiographical work. Watching these three witty intellects on the big screen in Adelaide Town Hall became an amazingly intimate activity.
The second part of the evening saw theatre director Simon Phillips and playwright Suzie Miller join Davis live on stage, whilst Sir Tom was beamed in from London. Davis kicked the conversation off, but then was happy to allow proceedings to flow where they may. A relaxed Sir Tom, drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes, discussed the page-to-stage journey, swapping notes with Miller and Phillips. Interestingly, Stoppard sometimes changes his own scripts once they are in rehearsal. This theme of play-as-script, as opposed to play-as-event, was one which flowed through the entire evening. Miller and Phillips both brought some great energy and insight to the discussion, and there was plenty of laughter from both participants and audience. Although a short clip from the Broadway production of Leopoldstadt was shown it would have been great to have a few more clips from Stoppard works: this would have rounded the night out perfectly.
A Celebration of the Life and Work of Tom Stoppard was an evening for the aficionados, certainly, but also for anyone with a love of words, particularly those that end up on stage. And most importantly it was a great night of engaging entertainment.
Reviewed by Tracey Korsten
Venue: Adelaide Town Hall
Season: Finished
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