British playwright, Tom Stoppard’s legendary play took the world by storm when it was first staged all around the world in the mid-1990s. Join Centenary Theatre in our wonderful revival of this modern classic, not staged in Brisbane since Queensland Theatre Company’s premiere production 30 years ago.

 

“ET IN ARCADIA EGO” -  AND I AM IN PARADISE.
 

ARCADIA is recognised as one of the 20th century’s greatest plays – Stoppard’s master work -  a cocktail of ravishing comedy, literary sleuthing, romantic entanglements and scientific discoveries.

 

In a stately home in the British countryside, poets, tutors, academics and lovers roam the corridors two centuries apart, each uncovering their own particular mystery. In April 1809, bright young Thomasina and her tutor Septimus are inventing chaos theory a century too early – or perhaps they are simply falling in love? Almost two hundred years later, two scholars try to piece history together from the puzzling fragments that remain. Along the way, there are indiscrete affairs, mistaken identities, hermits, duels and … a ha-ha!. 

 

This is a play about Romance.  The New Romantics and the Old Romantics.
 

The Old Romantics (1809) – Keats, Shelley & Byron – the latter is a significant but off-stage character in the play. Empire line dresses and Beau Brummel, effete men. 1809 is the time of Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Bridgerton, Napoleon. And yes, we have a swoon-worthy Mr Darcy-like, chest bearing scene.

 

The New Romantics (1989) – Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran, a Flock of Seagulls. The English Country Garden. The English Don. Academic Research and Romance. Surviving Thatcherism. All True & Gold and styled in 80s couture aka Vivienne Westwood.  There isn’t a smart phone in sight.
 

The same set is used in both time zones, sharing a large table, books, a theodolite and a tortoise named Plautus.  In a water-coloured world, swathed in greens and blues, there is peacocking aplenty.

Characters :

CASTING: We are looking for a very strong cast of 12 characters. 4 female and 8 male. 

• MAIN CHARACTERS: Please note these are large roles with lots of lines. They are both dramatic & comedic.
  Septimus Hodge (Old Romantic, utterly handsome, old Etonian and friend of Byron, looks early to mid-20s);
  Thomasina Coverly (Old Romantic, super pretty, super posh and super intelligent, looks 14 to 16, actor is 18+);
  Lady Croom (Old Romantic, utterly divine in all ways, an early Sloan ranger, the very best dressed, 40s to 50s);
  Hannah Jarvis (New Romantic, contemporary author, feminist, wit, garden enthusiast, 40s to mid 50s);
  Bernard Nightingale (New Romantic, a relic of ivory tower academics, he almost made it, 40s to mid 50s);
  Valentine Coverly (New Romantic, English aristocrat, good looking in a dishevelled way, early to mid 20s).

• OTHER CHARACTERS: Please note these smaller roles have limited stage time but are exceedingly important. 
  Ezra Chater (Old Romantic, an exceedingly bad poet and bombastic cuckold, clown, looks 30s to early 40s);
  Richard Noakes (Old Romantic, landscape gardener, Capability Brownish, pipe smokn countryman, 40s - 60s);
  Captain Brice (Old Romantic and naval captain, brother of Lady Croom, in love with Mrs Chater, 40s);
  Jellaby (Old Romantic, the butler, been there forever, a gossip, knows all the secrets, 80s - 90s);
  Chloe Coverly (New Romantic, the ingénue, very posh & pretty, loves fashion & Bernard, early 20s);
  Gus/Augustus Coverly (dual role, occurs in both worlds, Gus doesn’t speak, Augustus does (16ish, actor 18 +).

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VOICE: Physically and vocally the entire play is spoken in versions of the Queen’s English, Received Pronunciation (RP), Sloan Rangers, and the best of British. Think BBC News Broadcaster, Queen Camilla, Joanna Lumley, Fergie, Duchess of Grantham in Downton Abbey. At the audition, it is vital that you demonstrate the ability to master the accent.

 

See these links for inspirational examples: 

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AUDITIONS: Auditions are on Sunday 26rd April, 12:30pm at Centenary Theatre, CNR Queenscroft & Halsbury Streets, Chelmer. You will be required to perform a short monologue of about one minute from any play, in a posh British accent/RP. Plus be involved in cold readings from scenes in the play.  Please contact the Director Michael Beh at stagemike30@gmail.com or Production Manager Rhyll Bucknell enquiry@centenarytheatre.com.au for more information and to register your place.

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Rehearsals: will commence in early August 2026. All cast will be called on Sundays. The Old Romantics and the New Romantics will rehearse on one separate night in the week. Exact nights to be confirmed.

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​​Please Note

Performances: Performances are on Friday and Saturday evenings, with matinees on some Saturday &Sunday afternoons. Please do not audition if you cannot commit to these dates.