Inside Iowa State

Feb. 23, 2007

ISU Theatre takes on 'character-driven' play

by Dave Gieseke, LAS Public Relations

The battle in the latest ISU Theatre production isn't between good and evil, but rather emotion and reason.

In his award-winning play Arcadia, playwright Tom Stoppard explores those emotions while his characters discuss questions of science, art, history and even gardening. The script was the winner of the 1995 New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play.

"Stoppard has a lot to say in this play," said Jane Cox, professor in ISU Theatre and director of Arcadia. "Individuals are pulled in one direction by their emotions while their reason tells them it would be a mistake to take a course of action. Stoppard explores the disconnect in people and how it plays out.

"Through all this, it's real characters that explore this facet, both in the past and in the present," Cox continued. "This is not a play with car chases or explosions. It's very much a character-driven and character-based play, where the characters have a lot to say and say it very well."

The story

Arcadia is set in a single room in a large country house in Derbyshire, England, owned by the same family across 200 years. The scenes alternate between present day and the early 19th century until they converge in the final scene. In the present day, the actors include two researchers who are attempting to discover whether the poet Lord Byron came to this house in 1809 and, during his stay, fought and killed someone in a duel.

Ironically, the Lord Byron character never appears on stage.

"In fact, the audience never sees two of the most influential characters in the action," Cox said.

Arcadia performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23-24 and March 2-3. Two Sunday matinees (Feb. 25 and March 4) begin at 2 p.m. All performances are in Fisher Theater. Tickets are $13 for adults ($12 for senior citizens, $7 for students), and available at the Iowa State Center box office or through Ticketmaster.

"This is not a play with car chases or explosions. It's very much a character-driven and character-based play, where the characters have a lot to say and say it very well."

Jane Cox, ISU Theatre