Arcadia: The Genius of the Place

"The unpredictable and the predetermined unfold together to make everything the way it is. It's how nature creates its' self on every scale, the snowflake and the snowstorm". This line from Tom Stoppards' play Arcadia />/>is describing a mathematical theorem, but is an excellent summation of the play it comes from. The piece deals with lofty theorems and infinite ideas, but is rooted in the more discrete and discreet matters of human relationships. Arcadia />/>is the inaugural production of the QED Company, who bring us a solid rendering of the brilliant and challenging play.

The story takes place in one room in Sidley />Park/>/>, a stately English manor house, as the story shuttles back in forth in time from 1809 to the present day. In the past, Sidley was home to Lord and Lady Croom and their precocious thirteen-year-old daughter Thomasina Coverly, who is tutored by sardonic Septimus Hodge. Hodge has gotten himself in a quarrel with fellow house guest Ezra Chater, due to his low opinion of Chaters' poetry and his covetously high opinion of Chaters' wife. Meanwhile, he must deal with the scatterbrained whims of Lady Croom and Thomasinas' seemingly simple solution to an unsolvable mathematical theorem.

In the modern age, a trio of scholars are trying to unravel the mysteries of the past. Author Hannah Jarvis is in residence at the manor house, researching the mysterious Sidley hermit, and arrogant university don Bernard Nightengale is arrives seeking evidence that one-time Sidley house guest Lord Byron killed a man in a duel. Croom descendant Valentine Coverly is researching an algorithm to predict the population of grouse on the land. All three will find the clues to their questions stuck in books and letters from the Sidley of 1809, and the personal revelations are as impressive as the intellectual ones.

QED is blessed with many wonderful actors who tackle Arcadia />/>with obvious enthusiasm and intelligence. Rachel Jablin is note perfect as Thomasina; petulant, knowing, and lovely. For an adult to play a fourteen-year-old without slipping into mannered clichés is a difficult task and Jablin handles it charmingly. Andrew Rein captures Septimus' sly wit, though he holds his emotional cards a little too close to his chest until the final scene. Playing the animated Augustus Coverly in the past and mysterious mute Gus in the present, Tim Astor is magnetic.

Shelley McPherson has great charisma as the straight talking Hannah, who laments the classical turning over to theromantic as "the decline from thinking to feeling". Micah Freedman gives Valentine a bemused churlishness, and he is especially entertaining in his scenes with McPherson. When the two team up against John McWhorters' pompous professor, the production has some of its' strongest moments.

Director Zander Teller draws excellent performances from his cast, and movement around the center stage table is pleasantly natural. Unfortunately, the pace of the show needs tightening. There were sections, particularly in the first act, where the energy was low, and some of the esoteric humor was lost. Still, the actors have a firm grip on the language and the bevy of english accents were excellent.

The production values are quite impressive. Set and lighting designs by Dov Lebowitz-Nowak are simple and elegant. Mary Vorassis' props, including numerous books of various ages and a tremendously convincing turtle, add realism. Melissa Daghini designed some of the finest costumes I've seen in any Off-Off production, providing high quality period clothing that was attractive without being overbearing.

QED Productions says in their mission statement that they seek to create "smart, engaging theatre for a sophisticated audience". If their Arcadia />/>is any indication, they have an exciting future ahead of them.

Photo Credit: Melissa Daghini

Top: Micah Freedman, John McWhorter, Shelley McPherson

Bottom: Freedman, Rachel Jablin, McPherson

To post a comment, you must register and login.