Duration
2 hrs 50 mins with interval
Closing Date
Until September 12, 2026
Age limit
Suitable for 14+ yrs
Why Watch Arcadia Tickets ?
- Arcadia play in London spans two eras in one English country house where gifted prodigies and scholars retrace the universe's discoveries and uncover their own desires.
- Written by Tom Stoppard (Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead, The Real Thing) and directed by Carrie Cracknell, this revival balances intellect and emotion with Stoppard’s signature wit.
- The 1993 premiere at London’s National Theatre won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play, establishing Arcadia as one of modern theatre’s defining works.
- With refined design by Alex Eales and costumes by Suzanne Cave, the production reveals how logic, love, and time intersect. Book your Arcadia London tickets now!
Arcadia is widely regarded as one of Tom Stoppard’s finest works, which premiered in 1993 and won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play. The version at the Old Vic Theatre marks a major London staging of the piece, directed by Carrie Cracknell. In this production, a country house becomes the setting for two stories: in 1809 a brilliant young scholar investigates the universe’s structure; in the present day, two academics probe the same estate for hidden clues. The show explores how knowledge accumulates, how memory works, and how desire disrupts ordered thought. Stoppard’s dialogue balances wit and depth, science and feeling, showing that the search for proof is also a search for meaning.
Storyline
In 1809 at Sidley Park, Thomasina Coverly, only 13, begins to grasp ideas about mathematics and the heat-death of the universe. Meanwhile, her tutor, Septimus Hodge, navigates social games, duels and questions of form and function. Two centuries later, at the same estate, scholar Hannah Jarvis and literature professor Bernard Nightingale investigate its mysteries through manuscripts and grouse counts. As both eras unfold on the same stage, the play invites you to consider whether knowledge is fixed or fleeting, whether love and desire belong in a laboratory of ideas, and whether the past ever really leaves us. Arcadia play in London offer the chance to witness a play where science, poetry and emotion intersect.
Show timings
Show timings for Arcadia Tickets may vary every week. You can check the show timings for your preferred date at the next stage of booking.
Cast & Crew
Writer: Tom Stoppard
Director: Carrie Cracknell
Set Design: Alex Eales
Costume Design: Suzanne Cave
Lighting Design: Guy Hoare
Sound Design: Donato Wharton
Movement: Ira Mandela Siobhan
Composer: Stuart Earl
Age Suitability
This show is suitable for ages 14 years and above.
Age suitability recommendations are just suggestions. So, trust your judgment when booking tickets for any show, and enjoy!
Access Performances: Captioned, Audio-Described, and BSL-interpreted performances are scheduled throughout the summer run. Please check the specific performance dates during booking to select your preferred assisted performance.
Most theatres are air-conditioned year-round, so it can get a bit chilly. Bring a light jacket just in case.
The Tom Stoppard Theatre
The Tom Stoppard Theatre in St Martin's Lane, in the City of Westminster, was originally built for Frank Wyatt and his wife, Violet Melnotte. Today, this Theatre is the London headquarters of the Ambassador Theatre Group and is a part of their portfolio including eight other venues. It is also the producing office of Sonia Friedman Productions. Seating Capacity: 640
Tom Stoppard Theatre Seating Plan will help you find the best seats in the theatre.
Getting There
- Address: St Martin's Ln, London WC2N 4BG, UK
- By metro:
The nearest tube station is Leicester Square, an 8-minute drive from the theatre.
- By train:
If you wish to take a train then the Charing Cross is the closest station.
- By bus:
For buses to St Martin’s Place - 24, 29, and 176 and for busses to Trafalgar Square - 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 23, 53, 87, 88, 91, 139, 159 and 453.
Facilities & Accessibility
Amenities: Toilets, Dining outlets, Souvenir shop, Cloak room
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, Service animals allowed, Elevator access
Additional Information
- Security: To ensure your comfort and security, you might encounter a few security checks when you arrive at the venue.
- Dress code: Smart casual or semi-formal attire is the way to go.
- Outside food: While outside food isn't usually allowed, many theaters have cafes or restaurants nearby for you to check out before or after the show.
Tickets Redemption
You will receive an email with your Arcadia Tickets voucher. No need to print. Please carry a valid photo ID for identification.
Cancellation & Refunds
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Frequently asked questions
The play does not have a strict age limit. However, it is most suitable for children aged 14 years and above.
The show is playing at the Old Vic Theatre in London.
It tells parallel stories across two centuries in one English country house: a teenage prodigy in 1809 and scholars in the present day, both driven by curiosity about the universe and human nature.
Written by Tom Stoppard, the play first premiered in April 1993 at the National Theatre in London.
The original 1993 production won the Olivier Award for Best New Play, and the play is often cited among the most significant contemporary English-language dramas.
The play explores themes of knowledge vs. mystery, the passage of time, determinism vs. chance, and the complexity of human desire, all within a framework of witty, intelligent dialogue.
