Stoppard's Love Jewel Shines Off-Broadway

A revival of Tom Stoppard's 'The Invention of Love' is currently captivating audiences at Theaterlab, spearheaded by the energetic David Greenspan. This intimate production offers a rare opportunity to experience Stoppard's underappreciated jewel, which the playwright himself considered his most romantic work. The play unfolds in the afterlife of A. E. Housman, the renowned poet and classics scholar, as he journeys down the River Styx.

Housman's spectral journey allows for poignant recollections of his Oxford days, encounters with his younger self, and the enduring memory of his love for fellow student Moses Jackson. The narrative intricately weaves together themes of love, desire, and the creative impulse, questioning the very origin and nature of romantic poetry. Oscar Wilde also makes a notable appearance, reflecting on his own tumultuous relationships.

Despite its thematic depth and Stoppard's characteristic wit, 'The Invention of Love' is rarely staged in American theaters, making this revival by director Zachary Elkind and his ensemble particularly significant. The play argues that love, much like art, is an invention that shapes perception, becoming the force through which individuals discover themselves and their passions, ultimately transcending even death.