Texas State presents Tom Stoppard's 'Arcadia'

By Alec Jennings
University News Service
February 9, 2010

The Texas State University-San Marcos Department of Theatre and Dance will present Tom Stoppard's "Arcadia" Feb. 16-20 at 7:30 p.m. and February 21 at 2 p.m. on the main stage of the Theatre Center on campus.

Considered by many to be Stoppard’s finest work, "Arcadia" is a mix of comedy, drama and literary detective story as it bounces between two different time periods. The alternating scenes allow the audience to see what actually happened in the early 1800s versus the modern-day scholars' attempts to interpret the events.

"Arcadia is an unusual script in that it deals with two time periods, 1809-12 and present day, of which are on stage at the same time at the end of the play. It is one of the most intellectual plays written for the stage while keeping an emotional intensity at the same time," said director Richard Sodders. "Audiences will experience events as they happened in the 1800s and then see how scholars interpret the past events in the present day. Audiences will also become emotionally attached to some of the characters and want to know what will happen to them next."

The play is a winner of the 1994 Olivier Award and the 1995 New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for best play. Its movement between art and science also serves as a connection to Texas State's “Whole Mind” Common Experience theme.

"The theme of 'Whole Mind' is a perfect fit for 'Arcadia.' It deals with math, science, art and how mankind keeps marching forward with ideas that may be dropped for awhile but as time progresses picked up by others," Sodders said.

Tickets go on sale Feb. 8 at the Texas State box office. Prices are $10 general admission and $7 for students with a valid Texas State ID.

For more information, call (512) 245-2147.