Just got an email from ambassadors tickets....top price tickets for £35
Enter Promo Code: ATG35
*Valid for all performances from 27 May–13 June
Hope this helps someone!

Went to the first preview tonight. I should probably be in bed by this point so shall keep it brief.

The front row of the stalls is HILARIOUSLY close to the stage. I literally laughed when I saw it. Decent view though; you lose a few faces when people go behind furniture, and you can get a bit of a neck crick, but I'm a woman of average height and found it fine. (People who are shorter than women of average height should almost certainly sit further back.) I thought the play itself was fantastic. I'm going to be obsessing over it for weeks and will probably order the script this very weekend. And the cast were amazing, not a weak link among them. (By the way, if we do a WOS Secret Santa this year, I'd like to request now that whoever pulls my name out of the hat get me Ed Stoppard. Thanks muchly. ) The play did run a little long this evening; the programme reckons 2 3/4 hours, but it was more like 3. It didn't feel over-long though; I felt that it was long, but in a good "I could watch this for HOURS" way as opposed to a "has it still not finished?" way. Plus, y'know, first preview; I expect it'll smooth out. I'm trying to save money at the moment by paying lowest possible ticket prices (resenting any ticket that costs more than £15 and preferring to stay closer to £10) and only seeing shows once. Well, I'm happy to have paid £20 for this and am SO tempted to see it a little later in the run, see how it stands up to how I feel right now.

So, thus far one of the highlights of my theatre-going year for 2009. All y'all should give it a bash and let me know what you think and/or how wrong I am.

I completeey agree Weez and I was in the upper. I have neve seen this play before and know I have just seen an absolute miracle of a play, beautifully performed and designed. There were a few audibility issues, but i am sure these will be sorted out. i left the theatre overwhelmed and on a real high... Saw Tom Stoppard there too, which was icing on the very layered, rich cake.

Darn you both and your good reviews. I was tempted by this when it was first announced but decided to wait till it had started its run to see what was being said about it. I was secretly hoping it would be rubbish so I could save a few £ but I need to see it now.

Sigh. ANOTHER trip to London Thank goodness for National Express Fun Fares!

kjb x

Thanks Weez
Booked seats A1/2 on your heads up about the first row---pun intended.
Very excited now.Thanks again for the review

Haven't seen this production yet, but absolute miracle of a play is exactly what it is. And I thoroughly recommend reading it. See it, read it, then see it again.

i am going to see arcadia tomorrow and can't wait. shall report back. as i remember its a very "wordy" play and so seeing all the action all the time is that important.

wasn't sure about this but went to see it on all your recommendations and thought it was fantastic. Amazing play and very well cast. Excellent performances . Very funny and engaging. Definitely worth seeing but am a total Stoppard fan anyway and didnt see the original National staging.

Has anyone seen the play Arcadia? I have read what it's about but it doesn't seem very informative. Can anyone tell me what it's about and if they enjoyed the show. Please.

It's almost impossible to sum up in anything less than this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcadia_(play)

Arcadia is my all-time favorite play and I love it to bits.
I have to say, though, that I have seen it seven times so far and I am only just beginning to grasp all of the topics it touches on from landscaping to mathematical concepts (chaos theory)... But even when I saw it for the first time I loved it. Would highly recommend reading the script before watching it.

If you check the other thread, you'll see that several people here have seen it already, and are universally impressed.

http://www.whatsonstage.com/board/index.php?showtopic=6305

It may be a little premature, but I feel no compunction in stating it's the finest thing I've seen at the theatre all year so far. :3 Don't worry if the synopses don't make sense; just GO. You'll pick it up as the play progresses, and it really is fantastic.

Iagree - this is an extraordinary, life-affirming and thrilling play, beautifully directed and acted. If there is any justice this should be the hit of the year. Check out the other comments on the other Arcadia link on this site...

Agree, agree, agree. Some of the play went over my head, but if you go along prepared to listen, you will love it. It isnt intimidating but it is extremely clever. It is exhilerating as you start to piece it all together. i want to go back and see it again now.

thanks for all the information, would any of you know how long the play runs for by any chance?

Saw it this evening. It made an impression on me when I first saw it 15 years ago, and if anything I like it even more now. Good clear production, excellent performances, enjoyable dialogue, some comedy and a couple of bits I found deeply moving near the end. A terrific evening's theatre.

Yes front row stalls is so close, it was quite awkward making my way to my seat. It forces you to walk at angle towards the other front rowers. Being a bit of a klutz, I was convinced I'd lean past the point of no return and end up in someone's lap, but managed to get away with brushing the toe of a woman, who then looked as though I'd kicked her shins and did that thing of looking exaggeratedly at her foot so I could see I'd nearly maimed her for life.

Timing seemed closer to the advertised 2.45

It's listed as 2 hours 45 minutes...
The second preview was almost three hours, but I am sure they will tighten it up a little as they settle into the play.

Get yourself tickets on any kind of available discount as soon as possible, because this enormously rich play is always worth seeing. This version certainly will be a hit, no doubt hymned to the skies by Billington et al (who see themselves as the acme of the sophisticated, literate playgoer at whom the show is aimed foursquare), and very attractively packaged.

Unfortunately, it is a clear but literal-minded staging which seems to miss a lot of the nuanced humour integral to Stoppard's text. I say seems, because I was part of an especially dense audience last night, which laughed only at the most obvious sex-based gags; I can imagine the performance taking wing with a more intelligent response. The cast were having to work very hard for effect - Nancy Carroll as Lady Croom almost gasping for breath - and there was already a tendency to safety-first grandstanding from Neil Pearson and Samantha Bond as the contending academics, and some self-satisfied overplaying from the minor characters (the poet and the butler). Unfortunately, too, the young genius Thomasina is woefully undercast; not even Dan Stevens, in superlative form as her tutor, Hodge, can set alight their long scenes together (something he definitely achieves opposite Ms Carroll). Ed Stoppard as Thomasina's modern-day mathematical aristocratic counterpart is, as usual, quite adequate - and blandly characterless. The ending is, inescapably, very touching.

You can get a feel for the production via its website: http://www.arcadiatheplay.com.

I saw the play last night - thought it was brilliant and well deserving of Benedict Nightingale's 5 star rating. I absolutely loved Jessie Cave's innocent genius and also enjoyed Nancy Carroll 's comic performance. Neil Pearson and Dan Stevens were similarly noteworthy. A wonderful evening.

It is indeed a wonderful evening, but that's despite Jessie Cave's performance - vocally and interpretively quite inadequate, when she's juxtaposed with a performer of Stevens' calibre. She was sweet in Cranford, but casting directors must learn that what works on the television can be sadly exposed on a big stage.

I've written about my thoughts on Arcadia here: http://theatricalleanings.blogspot.com/200...-10th-june.html

I basically thought it was okay to good, but nothing exceptional! And I agree, Jessie Cave was horrifically bad, especially up against the wonderful Dan Stevens.

Each to his own Miriam but you do use the word 'horrific' alot in your musings!!! I thought Jessie was great. Thomasina is meant to be an awkward genius!!

Wonderful play. Well cast and well acted all round. Thoroughly enjoyable evening. Want to go again.

...show me where? I used it once in that comment - just flicked through my old posts on the blog and can't see it used at all! Do you mean on here? If so, and if I have, it's because I have felt that strong of a reaction!

There's awkward genius and then there's bad acting. She wasn't awkward, she was simply bad!

(IMHO, etc)

jessie cave is wonderful ; awkward, gawky, eccentric, innocent, precocious, strange and curious - just what a 13 year old child genuis would and should be like

But not for me capable of delivering as a 16 year old at the end of the play. Emma Fielding in the original production at the National may not have played 13 in a gifted modern school girl way but she was completely credible as her mother's (Harriet Walter's) daughter and when she danced with Septimus (Rufus Sewell) at the end you really understood why he did what he did (avoiding spoiler I hope). Much as I enjoyed lots about this new production I am afraid Thomasina is completely mis-cast (not her fault) and she is such a key character it took the edge off what I had hoped would be a wonderful revival.

Hmm - interview in yesterday's Independent:

QUOTE:

Cave will hit cinema screens around the world this summer as Lavender Brown in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

With two such coveted gigs on her CV, one might assume Cave to be another stage-school kid, but the Londoner actually landed the Potter part at an open audition, and, until Arcadia, her stage experience was limited to school plays.

Hmmmmm ......

Nicola, i admit to loving Jessie in this (and i know the writer does too), but please leave the poor girl alone; are you on some misson here?

Is anyone else going to this tomorrow night?

I review this production on 7th June and saw it again last night and saw it again courtesy of the Whats on Stage offer - thank you! I can only echo much of what I said in my review. Arcadia is a profound matserpiece, both funny and moving. The beauty of language is glorious in this play. Once again the performances were excellent especially Dan Stevens and Samantha Bond who have totally nailed their characters. I thought Jessie Cave is growing in her role as thomassina and I enjoyed Nancy Carroll who played Lady Croom with the right amount of wit, strength and authority which the part posesses. The play is sheer brilliance in every way. Theatre doesn't get better than this!

This play has to rank as one of the greates of the 20th Century. Brilliant!

WooHooo. Some great prices on some of the matinee performances. Just bagged myself a £25 for a £49.50 stalls ticket on the Whatsonstage webiste for 12th Sept....last day. Very pleased as I am taking 2 friends so saved a fortune. Other Sat matinees and midweek matinees also seem to be available at this cheap price. The half price ticket booth is ok but if you come from Oxford you do want to be sure of a seat. Read the book and can't wait to see the play now!
http://wos.eolts.co.uk/tickets/arcadia/pg:72/showid:2209

I thought both the production and the play were fantastic. Certainly one of my favourites so far this year. Very humorous in parts, but equally moving.

The cast were brilliant. Dan Stevens, Samantha Bond, Neil Pearson and Nancy Carroll stood out. But I thought all were very good, including Jessie Cave.

Thank you! Have just grabbed one for 1 August. I thought I was going to miss this (saving to be a poor student again from September).

Glad to share the joy! I just plain won't spend £50 on a ticket to anything!

I'm with you there, but having seen this last week, I think it might actually be worth that amount! I can't pretend to have understood what all of it was about, but I certainly enjoyed trying, and it is supremely well-acted. Samantha Bond and Neil Pearson were great together, and Nancy Carroll is hysterical, but Dan Stevens was probably the stand-out for me: he was just superb (and not just because he looks super-fine in a pair of britches. Although that helps obviously!)

I once spent £50 on a ticket for Three Days Of Rain, but that was mainly down to my own failure to see it before closing week and the fact I knew it would never run again with James McAvoy in it. That's an anomaly, though, I really don't like paying more than £30 for a seat. I personally wouldn't pay that much for Arcadia (I seem to be the only person who doesn't rave about it!) but I totally agree with you on Dan Stevens. Big talent!

3 quickies, thanks in advance for your answers:

1) As someone who hated Rock and Roll, I've been put off Stoppard, although my enjoyment of that play might have been marred by the fact I didn't follow all the politics of the play. Will I enjoy this if I disliked R and R?

2) Should I read the playtext before seeing or is it better to see with no prior knowledge?

3) Is front row's closeness worth paying £20 less for (I'll be seeing on a Saturday night so other seats probably won't be discounted)?

Thanks

If you hated R and R , you will love Arcadia. I think it might be better NOT to read beforehand as there are a number of discoveries in the play and it is nice to go with the characters on the journey. This is one of Stoppard's best.
I don't know about the seating but don't over pay , I'm sure front row will be ok - anyone else know?

Front row is ok if you're tall enough. Over 5'7 maybe? I am at 5'10 and had no problems whatsoever. You lose a bit of the action when they are behind the table but I would recommend first row for price/value.

1) I didn't see Rock 'n' Roll, but if it counts for anything, I've never had the fondest relationship with Stoppard and I think this is the best play I've seen all year.

2) No prior knowledge, I guess. I didn't know a thing about it when I went, and I loved it. Do make sure you take your brain in with you though; if you're the type to switch it off when you enter a theatre, you might get lost. XD

3) I'm 5'4"ish and sat in the front row and had no real issues. Granted, I did have a giggle-fit for about five minutes at how ridiculously close the front row is, but I only lost people behind a furniture a handful of times, and the legroom is spiffy. If you're taller than me, it's worth it. If you're shorter, consider this your warning.

I am curious, why do you say that? I loved Rock n' Roll, and I loved Arcadia.

I didn't like R&R but I've always thought Arcadia really superb and enjoyed both the productions I've seen. At the time of R&R a lot of people hailed it another Stoppard masterpiece but I didn't think it was a patch on some of his other work. There were a couple of good speeches and a lot of loud noise. I'm not sure what it means to like both! But the equation holds for liking Arcadia anyway.

Thanks to all for your helpful replies. Will be adding to a list of definite-sees! Thank you.

This forum is bad for the pocket!

I would save some money and book through lastminute.com where there are good deals online...

Sadly I couldnt make the WOS outing to this but I bought my matinee tickets through Discount theatre for £22.50- dress circle, which is the cheapest I could find when researching today.

I saw it last night and loved it. Has anyone noticed that Samantha Bond has stolen Faith Brooks cheekbones! Really good cast.

I agree with those that like Arcadia but not Rock'n'Roll. I loved Arcadia - saw it last week. Witty, stimulating, romantic, sad, clever, thought-provoking etc.
Rock'n'Roll was more like a David Hare political play - not many laughs - completely different. Maybe Stoppard felt he had to write a 'Czech' play.
Arcadia is more his usual style - a bit like Jumpers, or even Rozencrantz and Guildernstern are Dead.
End of my speech.

Just saw Harry Potter with Jessie Cave as Lavender. Unfortunately just as unbelievable and affected as she was in Arcadia I know I'm not the only one who thinks she's way overrated...

I saw her in Arcadia yesterday afternoon , followed by Harry Potter in the evening- I must say I wasnt that impressed with either performance- but then she hasnt had much experience yet, just school plays. I may be unpopular- but I have never admired the acting skills of all the young people in the HP films apart from Rupert Grint, so she doesnt stand out amongst them.

Arcadia itself was heavy going but very good ( I do not reccomend going with a headache like I did- you need all your wits about you) It didnt help when the wonderful Samantha Bond kept shouting! We were wilting in the royal circle as the air conditioning wasnt on full- I asked FOH in the interval if they could turn it up for Act Two.
It was amusing to come out and see the crowd of people reading the synopsis on the A board outside in order to make sense of it all!
I dont usually read up on synopses before I see something new- but I think it would be useful to get heads up on this play as it is very wordy. It only takes a few consecutive coughers to lose momentum ( and the sound in the Royal Circle is not brilliant to begin with)