Arcadia Revival

Arcadia is set in April 1809 in a stately home in Derbyshire. Thomasina, a gifted pupil, proposes a startling theory, beyond her comprehension. All around her, the adults, including her tutor Septimus, are preoccupied with secret desires, illicit passions and professional rivalries. Two hundred years later, academic adversaries Hannah and Bernard are piecing together puzzling clues, curiously recalling those events of 1809, in their quest for an increasingly elusive truth.

Of all Tom Stoppard's work, Arcadia has always stood out. Touching on sex, Fermat's last theorum, the second law of thermodynamics, landscape gardening with a detective story thrown in, it is a mixture of subjects that few playwrights could attempt to combine. Does it matter if you don't understand the complex scientific and mathematical theories? Not at all. Carrie Cracknell's magnificent revival has huge amounts of humour and heart, which is not always a given with Stoppard's work.

Recently, we had the chance to speak with Seamus Dillane, who plays the role of Septimus Hodge in Arcadia. We discussed what made him want to be a part of the production, what interests him about his character and even what it has been like working with a play where the cast is divided between two timelines!

All new photos have been released from rehearsals for Sir Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia at The Old Vic. Arcadia plays at The Old Vic from 24 Jan-21 Mar 2026. Check out the photos here!

Tom Stoppard's Arcadia is being revived at the Old Vic next year. The show marks the next production in Matthew Warchus’ final season as artistic director of the theatre.