Here are some of the early reviews for Arcadia. More to be added here soon.
If you’d like to review the play yourself, just tell us what you thought in the box at the end of this page.
This is a very polished and entertaining production of a really clever and thoughtful but accessible and funny play by Stoppard and is highly recommended. Chris Honer’s production is perfectly paced and very well performed. Recent Drama Centre graduate Beth Park is wonderful as Thomasina, while Charlie Anson gets across the dry wit and charm of Septimus very well. Leigh Symonds is very good at playing the pathetic character of cuckolded Ezra and gets across all the humour.
British Theatre Guide
… there’s no let-up in the quality of its work, with Chris Honer’s staging of Arcadia, by Tom Stoppard, the first production of the new era.
The set is beautifully constructed (designed by Judith Croft), music and sound (Jon Nicholls) and lighting (James Whiteside) all work effectively, and the casting is top-notch.
Manchester Evening News
Director Chris Honer and designer Judith Croft pull off the dual time-setting – a drawing room of an English country house in 1809 and current day – which would certainly have been a struggle in The Library Theatre’s former home.
The Stage
This Library Company production is the first of several at the Lowry over the next four years, and talk about starting on a high. Every performer is well-drilled and every performance beautifully honed on a sumptuous, day-room set by Judith Croft.
Oldham Chronicle
Honer has gathered one of his strongest acting companies in recent years, with no weak member in the cast. Emma Gregory is a delight as the lady of the house, Lady Croom, whilst Leigh Symonds once again provides an excellent turn as Ezra Chater. Caroline Bartlett is engaging as the feisty Chloe Coverly, whilst Joe Shalom is wonderfully animated as the mainly muted Gus Coverly.
Public Reviews
- ..this production of Tom Stoppard’s gloriously funny masterpiece is a total five-star-plus joyous night at the theatre…* packed with verbal wit and intellectual games, every line a gem… Chris Honer has picked a totally perfect dozen as his cast and he deploys them with masterly aplomb. A superb drawing room set (designer Judith Croft)… exquisitely detailed costumes and perfect sound and light all help make this my best night at the theatre this year.
What’s On Stage
What should you get for a play that has everything? Such an easy question to answer: a Library Theatre production. This is a play that will move you, make you laugh and tickle your brain cells too. You will find this production to be well-nigh perfect. Perfectly acted, perfectly paced, perfectly realised overall.
Jildy Sauce reviews
I was left with the rare feeling that I must come and see this production again, not least because I think, like a fine wine, it will improve with age … the clarity (that) Chris Honer, cast and crew bring to this tale is breathtaking.
Remote Goat