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Arcadia Reviews
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Almost the worst theatrical experience ever Review by: emr, Jun 8, 2011 |
After seeing the first production of this work of genius in London in 1993, my wife and I ran to see it again yesterday, and we resisted the urge to leave during the intermission. The setting is mainly taken from Trevor Nunn's London production but the actors behave differently. A screaming Tomasina looks disgusting, no any sympathy for her and no any understanding of her scientific brilliance. Oxford don Bernard Nightingale also screams his ... read more lines - he looks ridiculuos and superficial while in Stoppard play he is much more sophisticated. Other actors are a bit better though Valentin's jumping on the table in shoes is completely unjustifiable.
How is it possible to spoil such a brilliant play? |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 2 |
Arcadia resides in boredom Review by: Kitty, Jun 4, 2011 |
| I did not like this show. I found it tedious, the theater acoutics were poor. Very difficult to understand the English accent. Difficult to follow theme--whatever it was. Acting was wonderful but that was it. Thank heaven I did not pay full price. If I was alone I would have left at intermission. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Business Associate
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| 3 |
Which group will you be counted in? Review by: chipmunk, May 29, 2011 |
| I noted three groups of play-goers in the audience: a small group snickered, a small group slept and a larger group stared emotionless. I fell into the two latter groups. Air-conditioning was great though and seats were comfortable. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 4 |
I fell asleep a few times. Review by: Broadway Writer, May 24, 2011 |
| A nice show... but too intellectual and really it's about nothing. People say how profound it is, but it really isn't. A bunch of White, rich snobs talking about things that don't really matter. Well, maybe that's also the audience it is meant for, too! Trust me, I'm very intelligent and study science and plays and literature and loved Stoppard's Shakespeare in Love... and this play bored me to death! Really, I could care less about the plot...... read more. a big deal over... what? Only rich snobs can find such intrigue in nothing! And I had front row seats! I did enjoy the play... because it was performed professionally... but again... it just left me cold wondering why did Stoppard write such a convoluted play that goes in circles, makes no point, claims to be profound, and really... well... it made me fall asleep! |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Business Assoc.
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| 5 |
Be Prepared to Think Review by: Edi, May 22, 2011 |
| The most impressive performance was given by Lia Williams as Hannah. She is the character that pulls you into the storyline and keeps you interested. Tom Riley as Septimus is quite strong as well. I had not seen either actor before, but they drew me in. The play will challenge you, but engage you at the same time. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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| 6 |
Excellent Show! Review by: Broadway Fan, May 1, 2011 |
| This show was very engrossing as it told the story of a family in the past on their country estate, intertwined with a group of people in the present who are determined to solve the mystery of what happened there more than 100 years ago. As the story moves back and forth between the past and present, it is important that you pay close attention to what everyone is saying, because important clues are constantly being dropped throughout the story. ... read more Tom Riley's nuanced performance as the tutor in the past was fantastic, and all the actors worked well together to bring this story to life. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Seniors, Tourists, Adults
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| 7 |
Don't miss this incredible production Review by: kls010, Apr 14, 2011 |
I have had the pleasure of seeing this revival twice, and would see it again if I could. The writing is extraordinary, but served well by an outstanding cast, beautiful costumes and a perfect set design.
I saw the recent sold out London version, and feel that this cast and overall production is even stronger. Tom Riley as Septimus Hodge is just incredible, sharing wonderful on-stage chemistry with Bel Powley as Thomasina and ... read more Margaret Colin as Lady Croom - both perfect in their roles.
Don't miss this show. Full of intrigue, it is incredibly funny, touching and heartbreaking. It will stimulate your mind and make you believe in love again. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
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Recommended for:
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| 8 |
Some Great Acting, Some Problems - Still a MUST SEE!!!! Review by: BroadwayBabySawIt, Apr 6, 2011 |
| Do not miss this production of Arcadia - it really pays seeing it, either for the first time or again. There are some stand out performances here - Billy Crudup, Byron Jennings and Margaret Colin (from TV's Gossip Girl) are outstanding, they give first rate performances and are the glue that keeps the whole thing running. Tom Riley is also amazing as Septimus Hodge. These performances and the stellar writing are not to be missed!! There is a ... read more downside - we are not fans of the director, David Leaveux, who seems to have missed a vocation as a still photographer, he does not seem to know how to move actors around the stage - and yes, we have seen his previous work, same comment. The biggest miscast is the young actress who plays Thomasina - Bel Powley. This role is key, as this young player has lots of lines, but sadly this actor is not up to the role. Her shrill, one note delivery and mumbling destroys much of the scenes, leaving the other actors to carry the plot. To increase ticket sales to this otherwise excellent production, the producers need to recast this role pronto, even with 2 actresses to take us from the character's 14th birthday to the eve of her 17th. Recommended, still worth seeing, has flaws, but still not to be missed!!! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
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| 9 |
Excellent production - have no fear! Review by: knitsafghans, Mar 26, 2011 |
| I approached the play with a bit of trepidation, worrying it might be too cerebral and so laden with allusions as to be off-putting. Don't worry! It has a bit of math and a bit of science, but is ultimately a detective story and a love story and, yes, a celebration of ideas. With of course some clever wordplay and jokes. The performances are excellent. I do agree that Thomasina's voice was a bit shrill and at times the comprehensibility of ... read more her lines suffered. And I would recommend orchestra seats, close to the stage to counter any sound issues. But overall, intriguing and touching - for heart and mind. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Seniors
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| 10 |
Excellent and intellectually challenging Review by: LikesStoppard, Mar 24, 2011 |
| A thought-provoking play, very well performed. Get the infrared listening device, even if your hearing is "normal" - theater acoustics garble the dialogue. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Adults
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| 11 |
Less Than Perfect Production of Stoppard's Masterwork Review by: , Mar 20, 2011 |
| This is, for the most part, a fine production of a truly great play. The play’s direction is superb, the sets and costumes are first-rate, and several of the performances are truly outstanding. Both Tom Riley as Septimus Hodge and Billy Crudup as Bernard Nightingale, in particular, deserve to be singled out for their remarkable performances. But good as the production is, it is not perfect. For one thing, the first act gets underway too slowly ... read more and really should be shortened and tightened up. My second and only other real misgiving about this production relates to the casting of Bel Powley as Thomasina Coverly. Her voice is much too shrill and off-putting, she tends to swallow her lines, and she does not really capture her character’s aristocratic nature. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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| Acting: |
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| Production: |
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| Story: |
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Anyone
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| 12 |
Disappointing Review by: NYC Gal, Mar 17, 2011 |
| I remember loving the original production and had high hopes for this revival but was disappointed. The acting is wonderful but there is definitely something wrong with the acoustics in the theater. There is a lot of dialogue and it was very hard to make out what was being said. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Family
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Recommended for:
Anyone
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| 13 |
good intellectual and romantic Review by: cd, Mar 7, 2011 |
this is a very intellectual play - but the acting is excellent and if you pay attention it is really enjoy and romantic - the author - playwright Tom Stoppard really inter weaves current day times and the past brilliantly
the sound could be a little louder in the theatre |
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| 14 |
For Intellectual Elite Only Review by: , Mar 5, 2011 |
| I am a regular theater-goer who enjoys a good drama, comedy, or musical. Maybe I am too "stupid" for this play. The story is outright boring and difficult to follow, plus the acoustics in the theater is horrible. We had good seats in the front mezzanine. Acting is just OK. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
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