Bosanquet, Theo. "Critics Hail Stoppard's Arcadia". Review Round-up. Whatsonstage.com. Archived from the original on 10 August 2011 . Retrieved 1 December 2010. confirms the status of the play as Stoppard's "finest work". Cohen, J.M.; Cohen, M.J. (1960). The Penguin Dictionary of Quotations. Harmondsworth, England: Penguin Books.

In one period -- 1809 to 1812 -- it is the residence of Lord and Lady Croom, young Lady Thomasina Coverly (a young teen) and her tutor, Septimus Hodge, among others. In 1809, Thomasina Coverly, the daughter of the house, is a precocious teenager with ideas about mathematics, nature, and physics well ahead of her time. She studies with her tutor Septimus Hodge, a friend of Lord Byron (an unseen guest in the house). In the present, writer Hannah Jarvis and literature professor Bernard Nightingale converge on the house: she is investigating a hermit who once lived on the grounds; he is researching a mysterious chapter in the life of Byron. As their studies unfold – with the help of Valentine Coverly, a post-graduate student in mathematical biology – the truth about what happened in Thomasina's time is gradually revealed. Hari proposes that Arcadia is a supreme play of ideas, sealing its classic status. Chaos theory, poetry, ethics, the end of history: they're all in there, like a version of Start the Week in fancy dress. The play also has an aching emotional pull, but Arcadia's brilliance isn't just about the meshing of brain and heart. It's also about the way in which word and image work together, culminating in a wrenchingly beautiful final scene in which past and present-day couples waltz around each other, phantoms just a breath away from touch. Arcadia deserves a tip of the hat from every rationalist who has fumed at Hollywood's two-dimensional scientific noncharacters, such as the chaos theorist Ian Malcolm, who stumbles through Jurassic Park. The verbal virtuosity in Arcadia rests on a respectful, even sympathetic, examination of the way modern science looks at the world." - Tim Beardsley, Scientific AmericanThe science may seem heady, but it is really straightforward, and though it does take some effort to follow the many threads it is more than worthwhile. Hannah becomes obsessed with a mysterious hermit who lived on the property (and, to her great satisfaction, manages to prove Bernard mistaken). Hunter, Jim (2000). "Arcadia". Tom Stoppard. Faber Critical Guides. London: Faber. p.155. ISBN 0-571-19782-5. The present. Hannah rediscovers Thomasina's primer containing her ideas on iteration and chaos theory; this recalls Septimus' assertion that what was lost is eventually rediscovered. Valentine reacts with interest to the notes, as his own research centres on similar concepts.

Scene seven switches constantly between time periods with no obvious divisions. The scene begins with a discussion between Chloe and Valentine. Valentine tells Chloe that the universe is deterministic; one might be able to predict everything to come if he had a computer large enough. Chloe interjects that the formula wouldn't work because of sex—people might fancy people who weren't part of the plan or proper formula. Thomasina is now sixteen. Septimus gives Thomasina an essay from the Scientific Academy in Paris that is like Thomasina's own work—the scientist has found a contradiction in Newton's theory of determinism. Thomasina tells Septimus that she was right; the problem with determinism is likely hidden in the author's observations about the action of bodies in heat. Thomasina understands the second law of thermodynamics (which states that heat is irreversible). A) splendid intellectual farrago (.....) As usual in a Stoppard play, the true star is Stoppard, and he has never burned brighter or more kindly." - William A. Henry III, Time I know of few serious plays that are as funny as Arcadia, and even fewer funny plays that are as serious." - Terry Teachout, Wall Street Journal Arcadia isn’t exactly a chilly play, but it’s one where the ideas are moving, rather than the people. It’s a doleful comedy about time’s arrow, whose consolatory note is, paradoxically, reprise. "You seem quite sentimental over geometry," Bernard charges Hannah. Arcadia shows you why being sentimental over geometry might not be as silly as it sounds." - Sam Leith, Sunday TimesStoppard’s verbal frivolities are a delight. (...) If the West End is serious about serious plays then this visually stunning and hilariously funny show -- perhaps the wittiest drama written since Wilde was jailed -- should run and run." - Lloyd Evans, The Spectator Panofsky, Erwin (2004). The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations:Arcadia. quoted in Knowles, Elizabeth (Ed.). Oxford University Press. The 2011 Broadway staging met with a mixed reception. Ben Brantley of The New York Times called the production "a half-terrific revival of Mr. Stoppard's entirely terrific Arcadia", noting that "several central roles are slightly miscast", and "some of the performances from the Anglo-American cast are pitched to the point of incoherence." [54] Similar concerns were raised by critics from the New York magazine, The Hollywood Reporter, The Wall Street Journal, New York Daily News, Time Out New York and Bloomberg News. [55] Awards and nominations [ edit ] Awards

The confusion of who did what (and, in some cases, to whom) work to great comedic and dramatic effect. Tom Stoppard's 1993 play gets richer with each viewing (...) What makes the play both moving and intriguing is that one group of characters seeks to plot the future while the other tries to reconstruct the past." - Michael Billington, The Guardian

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Notably distinguishing themselves in a revival that only skirts the edges of unfortunate hodgepodge are Taylor-Corbett, Szadkowski, Zafir, Labbadia, and the extraordinarily lovely Grogan, who shines throughout with an inner light. Praise be to them – and to Stoppard at an alienating remove. Gus Coverly: Valentine and Chloe's younger brother, who has been mute since the age of five. Gus helps to pass several important props from past to present, and helps connect key moments in the play. (Gus and Augustus are played by the same actor.) Randerson, James (2006) " Levi's memoir beats Darwin to win science book title," The Guardian, 20 October 2006, accessed 30 March 2012.