Presented by University of Adelaide Theatre Guild
Reviewed: 11/08/2022
Tom Stoppard is a bit of a genius. But we knew that! Matthew Chapman, has done a very fine job of fulfilling the genius of Stoppard’s writing in Arcadia, the latest offering from the University of Adelaide Theatre Guild. It is a sprawling epic of a story spread over a vast landscape of time and place, both literarily and metaphorically. Only a playwright with Stoppard’s vast knowledge and chutzpah would attempt to explore a sixteen-year-old girl’s vision of heat exchange combined with the chaos theory, with a poet’s view of the changing world, a scientists view of the universe, and so many other aspects of the chaos theory that as an audience member you find your mind bouncing around the theories, and lives, of several generations of artists and scientist’s. The language is complicated and challenging; explicit and complex, theoretical and practical. In fact, it should be on the curriculum of every high school English department to encourage critical thinking from an artistic perspective. STEM would become STEAM, and how productive would that be – out of chaos could come order.
This is a very well-cast piece of work. There are a few newcomers who have fitted seamlessly into a cast of seasoned community theatre performers. Pari Nehvi (Thomasina Coverly) is a relative newcomer who has a strong and vibrant stage presence and a really clear ability to develop a believable character. Most of her work in the play is done with Robert Baulderstone (Septimus Hodge) whose solid character was a lynch pin for the strength and quality of the evening. Lady Croom (Kate Anolak) was a force to contend with and her presence was, as ever, a great asset to the story telling; a very strong and vibrant influence on the outcome. Maxwell Wigham (Ezra Chater) gives a spirited and amusing characterisation.
Allison Scharber (Hannah Jarvis), Guy Henderson (Valentine Coverly) and Monika Lapka (Chloe Coventry) were perfect foils for the tour de force performance of John Rosen (Bernard Nightingale), and Stoppard’s crisp intelligent writing allowed them to shine in their spirited and informative rivalry.
The supporting cast were clearly able to realise the importance of every word Stoppard has written. Tyrone Le Fleur (Jellaby), George Yankovych (Captain Brice), Rohan Cassidy (Richard Noakes) has the style and panache for the character and last but not least, Frederick Pincombe (Augustus/Gus) spanned the ages effortlessly, and shone, in the mostly mute role that requires a great deal of focus to add to and not steal from the action on which the character is a silent influence.
The music was a great addition to the mood and the story. Stephen Dean’s soundscape and lighting adding to the strength of the work. Brittany Daw’s set in perfect Georgian blue was a fitting playground for the work and the table and chairs perfect for the addition of the world created in the chaos of what life leaves on a table as it fills the vortex left by space.
As with every Stoppard play you are sent out of the theatre with your mind in a whirl and your intellect stimulated. Ideas and things that you had subconsciously awakened as you watch the stories and hypothesis of the world have come to life to expand your mind. There are a cohort of people listed in the programme that have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the quality and integrity of this excellent piece of work.
It will grow and develop over its run; it is so full of things for the actor to discover it will be a joyful and fulfilling experience for them and every audience member that gets to experience it. Out of chaos comes order. Highly recommended.
Reviewed by Adrian Barnes
Venue: Little Theatre, Victoria Drive (gate 10), The Cloisters, The University of Adelaide
Season: 11th August 2022 – 21st August 2022 7.30 pm Matinees 14th and 21st August 4.00pm
Duration: 3 hours (approx) including interval
Tickets: Full $25.00. Concession $20.00. Groups 10+ Concession rate
Bookings: http://www.trybooking.com/bwelu
Photo Credit: Charlotte Burton
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