Just saw this for the second time. The play is brilliant, a treat for anyone who loves words. It explores the connections of art, literature, science, and nature--all within the realm of human experience. The cast was wonderful, especially Tom Riley and the always amazing Billy Crudup.

Arcadia it wasn't. I hadn't seen Stoppard before and was put off his using everything he'd glimpsed in the Times Tuesday science section as gloss. The Barrymore stage was too large and the actors, not miced, played heads down to the first 15 in the orchestra. It was a very spotty evening. rrt

It's a good thing we had seen Stoppard's brilliant play before because, sitting in the balcony, we couldn't hear one word said by either Thomasina or Septimus (especially), who sounded as if they had mashed potatoes in their mouths. Otherwise - like many others in the balcony, who left early - we wouldn't have had a clue regarding the delicious plot. Either the actors need more time to learn how to project and/or there's something amiss at the Barrymore. (The good news is Billy Crudup was terrific.)