REVIEW
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
ART by Yasmina Reza
The multi award-winning, smash hit comedy starring Seann Walsh, Chris Harper and Aden Gillett
Mercury Theatre
Balkerne Gate, Colchester CO1 1PT
17 Sept 24 – 21 Sept 24
Running Time: 80 minutes (no interval)
Age Guidance: 14+
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
ART by Yasmina Reza
The multi award-winning, smash hit comedy starring Seann Walsh, Chris Harper and Aden Gillett
Mercury Theatre
Balkerne Gate, Colchester CO1 1PT
17 Sept 24 – 21 Sept 24
Running Time: 80 minutes (no interval)
Age Guidance: 14+
A clash of egos in the world of male friendships
Serge has bought a painting for £200,000 and invites his best friend Marc round to admire it. He expects him to fall in love with it. Instead Marc calls it a load of (x%x@) and they fall out. The painting is a large white canvass conveying nothing (although Serge insists it isn’t white). It becomes the reason for an analytic discussion regarding the understanding of art, and the meaning of friendship. As the two longstanding friends start bickering, another friend Yvan is having a breakdown. He’s trying to organise his wedding, amongst argumentative relatives and now has to try to calm things down between his friends. He ends up alienating everyone.
The play reveals the true meaning of friendship between men. How they can be friends for years and then let it break down over trivial events, usually due to a clash of egos. The truth comes out as Serge and Marc deconstruct their friendship. Marc thinks Serge has replaced his admiration for him for the admiration of the painting. Serge hadn’t realised that Marc thought he was admired. The very word ‘deconstruction’ is used by Serge as an art term, which antagonises Marc. He sees modern art as fake. As they argue, the actors break the fourth wall to reveal the true meaning of the thoughts behind the words. They explain what they really think to the audience. The men tear strips off each other, revealing their insecurities. The arguments go round, and round as two turn on one at different times until the emotional Yvan breaks down.
The play consists of just three actors, each with a different personality. Serge (Chris Harper) is cool and restrained; Marc (Aden Gillett) is aggressive and temperamental, whilst Yvan, the comedian Seann Walsh, gives an excellent demented and emotional performance. He re-enacts a phone call with his mother. Acting out a dramatic conversation regarding the non-inclusion of her name on the wedding invitation with that of his stepmother. This received a well-deserved round of applause.
The bickering and discussions finally turn physical when Serge in revenge begins to tell his friends what he really thinks of their wife and fiancée.
This award winning play by the French playwright Yasmina Reza, with a translation by the excellent Christopher Hampton, beautifully conveys the nature of male friendships. Even if of long standing, they can breakdown over the most trivial of things. There is a lot to think about in the play Art, but also humour and pathos. Is a large piece of canvass painted white really a case of ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes?’ It really captures the public’s view of contemporary art. Serge tries to explain its true meaning, but if you have to explain what it means, then it hasn’t engaged you emotionally, so the painting has lost its purpose.
The simple set designed by Ciaran Banal had a modernist feel, with the production being under the dynamic direction of Iqbal Khan. Although this is a quite a short play being only 80 minutes long, and is a play of words, it is never static.
Although it is 30 years since this play was first staged, it is still valid today.
Review Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
The play continues :-
Box Office: 01206 573948
Price:
£17.50 - £34.00
(inc. £2 ticket levy)
Wed 18 September 2024
7:30pm
£17.50 - £28.00
Thu 19 September 2024
2:30pm
£17.50 - £28.00
Thu 19 September 2024
7:30pm
£17.50 - £28.00
Fri 20 September 2024
7:30pm
£17.50 - £34.00
Sat 21 September 2024
2:30pm and 7.30pm
£17.50 - £34.00|
The play reveals the true meaning of friendship between men. How they can be friends for years and then let it break down over trivial events, usually due to a clash of egos. The truth comes out as Serge and Marc deconstruct their friendship. Marc thinks Serge has replaced his admiration for him for the admiration of the painting. Serge hadn’t realised that Marc thought he was admired. The very word ‘deconstruction’ is used by Serge as an art term, which antagonises Marc. He sees modern art as fake. As they argue, the actors break the fourth wall to reveal the true meaning of the thoughts behind the words. They explain what they really think to the audience. The men tear strips off each other, revealing their insecurities. The arguments go round, and round as two turn on one at different times until the emotional Yvan breaks down.
The play consists of just three actors, each with a different personality. Serge (Chris Harper) is cool and restrained; Marc (Aden Gillett) is aggressive and temperamental, whilst Yvan, the comedian Seann Walsh, gives an excellent demented and emotional performance. He re-enacts a phone call with his mother. Acting out a dramatic conversation regarding the non-inclusion of her name on the wedding invitation with that of his stepmother. This received a well-deserved round of applause.
The bickering and discussions finally turn physical when Serge in revenge begins to tell his friends what he really thinks of their wife and fiancée.
This award winning play by the French playwright Yasmina Reza, with a translation by the excellent Christopher Hampton, beautifully conveys the nature of male friendships. Even if of long standing, they can breakdown over the most trivial of things. There is a lot to think about in the play Art, but also humour and pathos. Is a large piece of canvass painted white really a case of ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes?’ It really captures the public’s view of contemporary art. Serge tries to explain its true meaning, but if you have to explain what it means, then it hasn’t engaged you emotionally, so the painting has lost its purpose.
The simple set designed by Ciaran Banal had a modernist feel, with the production being under the dynamic direction of Iqbal Khan. Although this is a quite a short play being only 80 minutes long, and is a play of words, it is never static.
Although it is 30 years since this play was first staged, it is still valid today.
Review Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
The play continues :-
Box Office: 01206 573948
Price:
£17.50 - £34.00
(inc. £2 ticket levy)
Wed 18 September 2024
7:30pm
£17.50 - £28.00
Thu 19 September 2024
2:30pm
£17.50 - £28.00
Thu 19 September 2024
7:30pm
£17.50 - £28.00
Fri 20 September 2024
7:30pm
£17.50 - £34.00
Sat 21 September 2024
2:30pm and 7.30pm
£17.50 - £34.00|
