Arcadia Theater Review

In" Arcadia," like Tom Stoppard's "Travesties", you really need to pay attention to what is being said. When I first saw the play back in the 1990's at Lincoln Center I walked away not to sure what I just saw ( a lot of audience members felt the same as I did). In this "Arcadia" at the Upper West Side Theatre, however, Eric Tucker as director gives us a clearer picture of the story. The plot spans from early 19th century on an English countryside estate and two centuries later at the same site.

For three hours we see the tale of sexual liaisons, jealousy, resentment, the bantering of mathematics, physics, writing and music. In the early time period a Cambridge graduate, Septimus Hodge (Shaun Taylor- Corbett) teaches a precocious Thomasina (Caroline Grogan) about math, literature, the sciences and to some degree, life. As her frustrated mother (Lisa Birnbaum) looks after her, she is never content with her life. Birnbaum does a wonderful job in her role, particularly the "business" that she gives in her complex role. Just the right amount of resentment towards her environment and an even measure of sultriness, she gets the job done indeed.

As the centuries go by we get three scholars who try to unravel the mysteries that have been unsolved. Lord Byron is at the forefront of much of the debate and anguish. While Zuzanna Szadkowski is excellent as Hannah, it is the modern side of the cast that falters a little. Not as deep or as solid as the core of the older actors: Caroline Grogan, Mike Labbadia, Jamie Smithson and Shaun Taylor Corbett are more interesting to watch. In the unraveling of what took place in the past; the scholars don't have us as engaged in the play. BEDLAM which usually has a very talented pool was less so in this play. There was a great deal of disparity amongst many of the actors.

"Arcadia" had some very deft costuming by Charlotte Palmer-Lane; she captures each period well, she made the show that much more interesting with her well appointed costumes. Les Dickert too added a lot to the performance with the lighting; "Arcadia" needs to be bright and bold as it was last evening. Dickert keeps the characters front and center brilliantly.

The play runs till December 31st. I was mostly impressed with this rendition. Even though it does not have the big names in it like the show I saw at Lincoln Center, but the cast blends well, it does the little things that make it a bigger production. Back in 1995 I thought Victor Garber, Billy Crudup and Lisa Banes did not mix well making it unpleasant to watch. Here the direction keeps the show tight and always grinding. It was very creative that we see the play from one angel in the first act, only to be turned around in the second act where we look at the actors from the seating area. Eric Tucker clearly had the vision of books, clothing and babbles passing from one century to another. Even though the seating was uncomfortable in the second act, kudos to the director for a novel way to see a play!

........................................................................................................................

BEDLAM Theater Company puts on good performances. Professionally done, they focus on more traditional plays and put their own touch to it. In Tom Stoppard's "Arcadia" the direction was done very well. Many of Stoppard's plays have underlying meaning and requires the audience to pay careful attention. Here the direction makes the play easier to watch. Tucker splays out the action more and gives the actors more accessibility.

BEDLAM Theater Company, Upper West Side Theatre, New York City, Obie Awards, Tony Awards, Off Broadway.