I was priviledged to see Mr. Crudup in The Coast of Uptopia. Mr. Crudup played Belinsky and Belinsky turned out to be one of my favorite characters in the trilogy, even though he only appeared in the first two plays.
I deeply and sincerely wish I had seen Mr. Crudup's turn as Septimus Hoge in the original Broadway production of Arcadia. Now, I sincerely wish I could see Mr. Crudup play the role of Bernard Nightingale in that same play.
Just this week, I listened to the BBC production of Arcadia and enjoyed it oh, so much. The BBC production is from 1993 with Felicity Kendal, Bill Nighy, Samuel West, Rufus Sewell, Emma Fielding and Harriet Walter. It is wonderful and I wish I could refer you to that production but am delighted to let you know that the LA Theatre Works has created a audio version of the play that is almost just as good. (I express the caveat "almost" due to the appearance of Felicity Kendall in the BBC production as I am particularly fond of her an anything by Mr. Stoppard or anyone else for that matter.)
But back to the matter.
For those who know that play, you know that Septimus and Nightingale are counterparts to one another. Septimus is a character in the 18thC part of the play and Bernard is a character in the 20th. Here's what Crudup recently said about the change of roles:
“When you’re introduced into the [Broadway] community in a role like Septimus Hodge, you get to pretend you’re this thrilling romantic figure. I was only six months out of graduate school at the time, so I got to ride on his coattails for a few years. Bernard, however, is a big, pompous buffon, so I’m hoping not to ride his coattails."
Arcadia begins previews on February 26 and is schedule to open on March 17 at the Ethel Barrymore.
