WEEK 12 ENTRY SEMESTER 2 07
MY FICTIONAL REVIEW OF ARCADIA ON OPENING NIGHT!!!
Tom Stoppard's Arcadia was performed for the first time at the Australian Catholic University by some extremely talented literature students as directed by Michael Griffith, their lecturer. This play combined the genres of comedy, romance and mystery in a most entertaining manner.
Arcadia is a play set in two different timeframes but takes place on the same premises, Sidley Park, an old English cottage. In the 19th century, Thomasina (played by Jade Debski), an extremely intelligent young student lives there and is tutored by Septimus (played by Adam) who is friends with Lord Byron. Thomasina is the daughter of Lady Croom (played by Marie Backo) who is constantly annoyed with Noakes the butler (played by Lauren Banfield) about his gardening style. The 20th century characters include Hannah (played by Evana Jajjo), Valentine (also played by Marie Backo), Bernard (played by Adam Halgren), Chloe and Gus (both played by Bianca Tsimnadis). Hannah is interested in finding out about a hermit who lived there in the 19th century and Bernard is interested in learning more about the famous Lord Byron. As they continue to figure about bits and pieces about their respective subjects they uncover more than they expect about the past.
The performances of the actors and actresses were phenomenal. They delved into their characters and even those ploaying more than one character were able to transform in minutes from one character to the next. I could not believe that these were merely students. I was watching the very art of method acting: their costumes, vioces, language, gestures and facial expressions down to the very movement of their eyes was planned with such precision that they completely captivated the audience. I have never seen a theatre audience return to their seats so long before the intermission was over. The didn't want to miss a minute of this remarkable performance.
The set was as impressive as the acting. The set stayed exactly the same for both periods. There was a table of random objects from both centuries placed altogether. These objects included a laptop a globe, candles, a turtle and many other things. These remained unmoved as the play crossed over from century to century. The table acted as a connector and reinforced the idea that the events took place in the same cottage but in different centuries. It was simple to identify which period the actors were from through their costumes, make-up, language and even from the music played in the background. All confusion of the audience due to the constant flicking between centuries was cleverly avioded through all of these techniques.
The script was also very clear. Although dealing with very abstract mathematical and scientific theories, concrete examples were provided. For example, in order to explain the theory of heat moving only one, the simple example of tea going cold but never hot again is used. This is the typpr of simple language used which allowed for the pla to be enjoyed by people of all cultures and backgrounds.
This film was ingeniously written, directed and performed. I have never been so sure that I was witnessing a play that will go down in history as a pivotal point in English drama. Stoppard has combined elements of comedy, mystery, romance, science, history and art all into this dramatic representation.
I strongly recommend this play is worth every cent you pay for it, unlike some of the rubbish that has been playing at the same venue lately
COMMENT ON ROSALIE'S ENTRY
I think you played your character fantastically in the lecture and believe that you really understood the character and became her. Your entry as the character in Under Milk Wood describing your life is written so well. The language you have chosen and even the obvious lies you are telling as the character in your journal really do make sense. I think you're a fantastic writer and actress and in LJ and your performance in week 11 lecture you really show this.
Well done and keep up the hard work.
Thanks rosalie