Revival of Tom Stoppard Play Directed by Patrick Marber

On April 24, 2018, Travesties opened at the American Airlines Theatre, where it had been running in previews since March 29, 2018. This production by the Roundabout Theatre Company was produced in association with Chocolate Factory Productions and Sonia Friedman Productions, following a production in London that transferred across the Atlantic. This revival is directed by Patrick Marber, whose Broadway credits include writing After Miss Julie and writing and directing Closer. Travesties is a 1974 play by Tom Stoppard, the magnificent British playwright whose many others works include Arcadia, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, The Real Thing, Rock ‘n’ Roll, The Coast of Utopia, Jumpers, The Invention of Love, The Real Inspector Hound, and The Fifteen Minute Hamlet. The story centers on a Henry Carr, who reminisces on his life in Zurich during World War I, interacting with James Joyce while the latter was writing Ulysses, interacting with Tristan Tzara throughout the rise of the Dada movement, and interacting with Lenin during the rise of the Russian Revolution. The production stars Tom Hollander (The Judas Kiss) as Henry Carr, reprising his performance from London, along with a cast that includes Peter McDonald as James Joyce, Seth Numrich as Tristan Tzara, Opal Alladin as Nadya, Dan Butler as Lenin, Patrick Kerr as Bennett, Scarlett Strallen as Gwendolen, and Sara Topham as Cecily.

Rave Reviews from the Top New York Critics

In response to seeing the show ahead of opening night, Ben Brantley from The New York Times calls the revival “exultant,” comparing Hollander’s performance to “a gourmand’s gusto,” and praising this “show of rollicking intellect and silly stagecraft, which has been deliciously directed by Patrick Marber.” Marilyn Stasio from Variety also loved the piece, remarking that “the sound of laughter can’t be contained” in this comedy. She goes on to state that “this extravagant farce bristles with clever wordplay,” and that “underneath the gem-like brilliance of its theatrical style, the play’s dark subject matter emerges.” Greg Evans from Deadline was also effusive in his review, praising the play with “its ideas on art, war, patriotism and purposeful nonsense fashioned into a nonstop tourney of wit and erudition,” and the production with its “jubilant staging presented by Broadway’s Roundabout Theatre Company.” Leah Greenblatt from Entertainment Weekly called it “a giddy, head-spinning triumph,” praising Patrick Marber’s direction that “keeps Stoppard’s verbal ballet moving briskly, occasionally slowing the action down just enough to let the narrative (and the audience) breathe.” Frank Scheck from the Hollywood Reporter loved the “simultaneously wacky and intellectual” play and “the accessible nature of director Patrick Marber's rollickingly staged production.”

Room for Growth at the Box Office

In the last week of reported box office figures, Travesties brought in a weekly gross of $319,321, which represents 48.73% of its gross potential. With a top ticket price of $147.00, the average paid admission was $62.15, and the audience was filled up to 88.3% of its capacity on average. Over the course of the 3.5 weeks of reported box office figures thus far, the show has brought in an average of 48.53% of its gross potential, and the audience has been filled up to an average capacity of 83.42%. While Stoppard is unequivocally revered in intellectual, academic, and theatrical circles, and despite the accessible nature of his high intellect, the show is certainly a tougher brain experience than much of the fare currently on Broadway. As such, it’s also a bit of a tough sell. When the Tony Award nominations, and subsequently the winners, are soon announced, Travesties may see a bit of a spike in interest, for if the reviews are any indication, this production will very likely be an awards contender.