From the first page, it is clear that Tom Stoppard's play "Arcadia" is going to be (or already is) a masterpiece. It opens with an outrageous and hilarious sequence of crossed lines, witticisms, double-entendres and bizarre mental segues, and the almost insane pace and dialogue are continued right to the end of the scene, which sets the background and has the viewer truly hooked.

The play is set in two time periods in the same room of a large Derbyshire country house. The scenes move between the two alternately, and Stoppard cleverly uses the same props in both settings as the parallel plotlines evolve, the one tied up in the other. In the present-day strand, the academic Bernard Nightingale is trying to unravel the evidence surrounding the scandal that took place at Sidley Park early in the 19th century. 180 years earlier, thirteen year old Lady Thomasina Coverly is progressing very rapidly in her education, her tutor Septimus Hodge is busy attracting offers of duels surrounding the honour of an acquaintance's wife, his guest Lord Byron is spreading his own share of havoc.

Tom Stoppard's sophisticated play explores a number of ideas, from Newtonian Physics to thermodynamics and chaos theory, the scientific versus the artistic, and the detrimental effect that sexual attraction has on an otherwise deterministic universe: "the attraction that Newton left out". It is an extremely witty, complex and intelligent interplay of subjects, sometimes poignant and always very entertaining.

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Granted this play may not be for all viewers.  The evening I attended we must have lost between 30-40 audience members during intermission.  However, it was their loss not the show's.  My best guess is these people went there to be entertained and, though entertaining, like many Stoppard pieces this one has words, words, words and more words.  Highbrow humor and intellect to spare.  If you were interested in an easy night at the theatre, this isn't it.  You will need to pay attention, you will need to think and you will need to analyze for yourself.  Definitely my 'cup of tea.'

This production would make any University proud - and in some cases some professional theatres.

This cast for the most part transcends what can be found in many local theatre departments.  Thomasina Coverly (LISA H. JOHANSON) is flawless as the young teenager.  Her mannerisms, behavior and delivery are that of a child who is ahead of her years and is learning to quickly as she questions and outgrows her teachers abilities.  The only thing with MS. JOHANSON that took time to get use to was her voice.  It was a little on the nails on the chalkboard side. 

Spetimus Hodge (JORDAN MCARTHUR), who was probably my favorite and also flawless, is Thomasina's tutor.  Often when you watch performers in period clothing or a period piece, especially men, there is an awkwardness about them.  This isn't the case here. MR. MCARTHER has an ability to carry a period piece all on his own.  His inflections, his grandeur, his movements kept me captivated. 

Next in the cast would have to be the modern day characters of Hannah Jarvis (KATE COLLINS BROWN) and Bernard Nightingale (ERIK CLANCY) who both show and hold an energy that is so often needed in a Stoppard piece.  The great thing about these two was that no matter what Stoppard threw at them, they understood every word of what they were saying.  This show, ladies and gentlemen, is running rapid with words and theories of mathematics, science and theories of life and never do these two falter.

I must say CHRIS BLAKE who plays two roles, one in the past and one in modern day time, does tend to steal the show at times.  His character, who you may think is mute in both time periods, occasionally lets out a sound or word that just brings the house down.  He is also fascinating to watch every moment he is on stage.  It is tough to find performers who can milk silence and MR. BLAKE does it very well.

If there was anything about the show that bothered me it was the length. Stoppard's plays are normally long and wordy, however I did feel that about 10-15 minutes of the show could have either been cut or sped up.  It lagged at times.  

But if you are looking for a night of theatre that is well performed and keeps you thinking about, well everything, this is it.

Arcadia continues to run through November 19th at the Ferguson Center on the CNU campus.

Enjoy. I sure did.