English
English
Until March 21, 2026
Language
Currency
4.7
Natalia BraginaUnited Kingdom
My first encounter with plays of Mr Stoppard was in the early 2000s, when The Coast of Utopia was staged in Moscow where I lived back then. I've come prepared, having read the play and some professional reviews.
This time I've come to watch Arcadia - and have not done much homework: I knew what the main ideas were but not much more. So it was mostly my fault that I've got lost very quickly in quick and loud conversations full of jokes and innuendoes. The cast was brilliant but for me they were all trying too hard to outsmart and impress each other, almost as if they kept forgetting that I was there. Only later on I realised that Valentine's monologues were the essential ones to convey the most important ideas and put together the stories of past and present, and also that Tomasina is not just a spoiled little idiot but a bright young scholar.
I guess, for me the accents during the play were a bit misleading or missing altogether. The underlying storyline sort of drowned in too many silly jokes at the beginning. However, when I did some reading afterwards, I realised that I had watched a very curious play with a level of depth I couldn't quite appreciate at once. So thank you for the amazing experience: the play has been opening up for me for days after I have seen it. I'll come back for more!
Arcadia
CLOSING DATE
AGE LIMIT
Suitable for 14+ yrs
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AboutVenueTicketsReviews
Why watch Arcadia?
- 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 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
Note: Producers cannot guarantee the appearance of any particular artist, which is always subject to illness and holidays.
Age & content guide
- 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!
Old Vic Theatre Read more
The Old Vic Theatre is located at 103 The Cut, London SE1, near Waterloo station. The venue was founded in 1818 and has a rich history of landmark productions. The venues' architecture and layout provide strong sight-lines and a warm acoustic that suits intellectually engaged theater. Past productions include major works by Shakespeare, modern drama, and acclaimed plays such as A Christmas Carol and White Christmas.
The Old Vic Theatre seating plan will help you find the best seats in the theater.
Getting there
- Address: 103 The Cut, London SE1 8NB, United Kingdom
- Tube: Waterloo station (Northern, Jubilee, Bakerloo, Waterloo & City lines) is a short walk.
- Bus: Lines 1, 59, 68, 76, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 341, 507, and C10 stop nearby along Waterloo Road and The Cut.
Facilities & accessibility
Available facilities: Bar, restrooms, cloakroom, elevator, gift shop
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, accessible restrooms, access performances, hearing assistance, step-free access, companion seats
Additional information
- Access performances: Audio-described performances are scheduled on Saturday, March 7, at 2pm (Touch Tour 11:30am) and Monday, March 9, at 7pm (Touch Tour 5pm). British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted performances are scheduled on Saturday, March 7, at 2pm and Wednesday, March 11, at 7pm. Captioned performances will take place on Friday, March 6, at 7pm and Saturday, March 7, at 2pm. A Relaxed performance, which is also Audio Described, Captioned, and BSL Interpreted, will be held on Saturday, March 7, at 2pm (Touch Tour 11:30am).
- 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’ll get an instant email confirmation right after you book your tickets.
- Enjoy a hassle-free entrance to the venue by showing your mobile ticket and a valid photo ID – no printout necessary!
Cancellation & refunds
- Tickets cannot be refunded, amended, or rescheduled.
Ratings & reviews
4.7
3 ratings
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Natalia
Mar 2026Verified booking
My first encounter with plays of Mr Stoppard was in the early 2000s, when The Coast of Utopia was staged in Moscow where I lived back then. I've come prepared, having read the play and some professional reviews. This time I've come to watch Arcadia - and have not done much homework: I knew what the main ideas were but not much more. So it was mostly my fault that I've got lost very quickly in quick and loud conversations full of jokes and innuendoes. The cast was brilliant but for me they were all trying too hard to outsmart and impress each other, almost as if they kept forgetting that I was there. Only later on I realised that Valentine's monologues were the essential ones to convey the most important ideas and put together the stories of past and present, and also that Tomasina is not just a spoiled little idiot but a bright young scholar. I guess, for me the accents during the play were a bit misleading or missing altogether. The underlying storyline sort of drowned in too many silly jokes at the beginning. However, when I did some reading afterwards, I realised that I had watched a very curious play with a level of depth I couldn't quite appreciate at once. So thank you for the amazing experience: the play has been opening up for me for days after I have seen it. I'll come back for more!
Volodymyr
Feb 2026Verified booking
Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia at the Old Vic is an intellectually exhilarating and emotionally resonant production that captures the play’s delicate balance between wit and melancholy. The staging is elegantly restrained, allowing Stoppard’s language—by turns razor-sharp and deeply humane—to take center stage. The cast navigates the dense mathematical and philosophical exchanges with impressive clarity, while sustaining the undercurrent of longing that binds the past and present timelines together. Particularly striking is how the production renders entropy not merely as a scientific concept, but as a quiet meditation on time, knowledge, and irreversibility. The result is a performance that feels both cerebral and intimate—an evening that rewards close attention and lingers well after the final scene. Oh, and the theater was too hot.
Robert
Feb 2026Verified booking
Thoughtful play, great acting Reading the program before the play helps follow the references Sometimes hard to hear the actors
More reads
Frequently asked questions about Arcadia
What age is the play appropriate for?
The play does not have a strict age limit. However, it is most suitable for children aged 14 years and above.
Where is the show playing in London?
The show is playing at the Old Vic Theatre in London.
What is Arcadia play in London about?
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.
Who wrote Arcadia, and when did it first premiere?
Written by Tom Stoppard, the play first premiered in April 1993 at the National Theatre in London.
What major awards has the play received?
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.
What themes will I see in the play?
Expect to explore 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.