Arcadia

Arcadia at The Tom Stoppard Theatre

Tom Stoppard's Arcadia returns to the West End for a strictly limited season at The Tom Stoppard Theatre (formerly the Duke of York's), directed by Carrie Cracknell. In a fitting twist, Stoppard's own play now runs at the theatre that bears his name. Widely regarded as one of the finest plays of the late twentieth century, Arcadia first opened at the National Theatre in 1993 and won the Olivier Award for Best Play. This new staging brings Stoppard's dazzling comedy of ideas back to London for twelve weeks only.

About the play

Set in a single room of Sidley Park, an English country house, Arcadia moves between the early nineteenth century and the present day. In the earlier timeline, the precociously brilliant Thomasina Coverly works through ideas that reach toward chaos theory and the second law of thermodynamics, guided by her quick-witted tutor Septimus Hodge. Two centuries later, rival academics sift through the same house's papers, chasing a theory about Lord Byron, a duel and a scandal. As both timelines play out on the same set, past and present begin to rhyme.

Why see it

This is Stoppard at his most playful and most profound, weaving mathematics, landscape gardening, poetry, desire and the heat death of the universe into one deeply human story. It is funny, moving and quietly devastating, and it rewards newcomers and lifelong theatre lovers alike. Carrie Cracknell's production is performed by a full ensemble cast, and the booking page shows the current company for your chosen date.

What to expect

The play is staged with an interval and unfolds entirely within the country house, using the same furniture and props across both eras so that objects gather meaning as the years pass. There are performances through the week, including matinees. This is a strictly limited season, so booking earlier gives you the widest choice of dates and seats. For more West End theatre, browse London theatre tickets on tickadoo.