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'Shipwreck' is a triumph

By Matt Windman

3:00 PM EST, December 21, 2006

Part two of a trilogy is usually considered the strong one ("The Empire Strikes Back," "The Two Towers," "The Godfather: Part Two"), and it looks as though we may end up saying the same about "Shipwreck," the thrilling, inspiring second segment of Tom Stoppard's three-piece, eight-hour epic "The Coast of Utopia."

On the last episode of "Coast," we were introduced bit-by-bit, character-by-character, locale-by-locale to Stoppard's vision of the Russian intelligentsia in the 19th century. We met novelist Ivan Turgenev, aristocrat-turned-anarchist Michael Bakunin, radical theorist Alexander Herzen and literary critic Vissarion Belinsky.

Unlike "Voyage," which served as a grand dose of fragmented exposition, "Shipwreck" is concentrated enough to count as a real play in and of itself, though still serving the overall needs of the trilogy.

Though the 44-person cast remains intact -- some in different roles than in "Voyage" -- the lead actors have changed. Though Billy Crudup, Ethan Hawke and Richard Easton still make appearances, the real focus is on Brian O'Byrne as Herzen and Jennifer Ehle as his wife, Natalie.

And though we still go back and forth between various locales, most of the play takes place in France during the overthrow of King Louis Philippe in 1848. Meanwhile, Alexander and Natalie's private lives mirror the downfall of European politics.

As before, one easily gains an appreciation for the momentous mix of Stoppard's language, Jack O'Brien's staging and Bob Crowley's scenic design. "Shipwreck" will likely receive the same positive response from both critics and audiences that "Voyage" gained despite its density of information, leading to the premiere of the last segment, "Salvage" next month, allowing all three parts to play in repertory for at least four months.

Vivian Beaumont Theater, 150 W 65th St, 212-239-6200, $65-$100. Schedule varies. Through May 13.