Arcadia

Thursday 19th March 2026

My first Tom Stoppard (I think!). 

Really enjoyable, simply stage in the round, well-acted; in this production, two times and worlds pass within a hairs-breadth of each other in a simple room furnished with a round table, some chairs, benches and a tortoise. 

Intelligent, complex and riveting, it reminded me (in my reaction to it) of Donna Tartt's Secret History - inspiring admiration for the mind that could conjure a country house mystery and comedy out of geometry, poetry, botany and academia and a desire to see everything else he ever wrote. Although this seems to be widely considered his finest work so, in another parallel to the Secret History, the following works, even though they would appear genius encountered first, may be disappointing following the "greatest".) 

Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell

Sunday 8th March 2026

Well, we got to the pub before opening, got sent away and returned a little late so the pub-ish seats were taken and we were on a high bench. It meant a bit of squirming to see as much as possible and a race involving some stuffed cats was out of my line of vision but this was quirky and enjoyable pub theatre in a unique staging, and we were fortunately away from the risk of audience participation. 

Robert Bathurst was convincing and endearing. The play was funny and ultimately kind about a flawed character. Enjoyable but not mind-blowing.