Stage Dragon: Art – Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

Published on: 19 Feb, 2019
Updated on: 19 Feb, 2019

Yvan (Stephen Tompkinson), Serge (Nigel Havers), and Marc (Denis Lawson) ponder – is it “a piece of s…” or “the completion of a journey”? – Photo Matt Crockett

By Ferenc Hepp

The sold-out signs have been in place all week and the hugely successful Old Vic production of Art by Yasmina Reza opened at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre on its UK tour to an enthusiastic packed auditorium on Monday evening (February 18, 2019).

The play, produced here by David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers, and directed by Ellie Jones, premiered in Paris in 1994, the English translation by Christopher Hampton opening in the West End in 1996. Famous faces have appeared in the London production through the years and this tour is starring Nigel Havers as Serge, Denis Lawson as Marc and Stephen Tompkinson as Yvan.

The concept is strange. Serge buys a very expensive painting, white lines on a white background, and discusses the merit of this piece of work with his closest friends, Marc and Yvan.

The simplicity and monochrome theme does not stop with the painting, the set is also made up of various shades of white, and the three settings are distinguished only by turning one of the flats to reveal different paintings or a blank wall, where this £200,000 work ends up.

The writing and the execution are very clever and highly entertaining. The piece was written in French originally but Hampton’s translation is smoothly authentic.

The characters portrayed by the three actors have similar traits and stubborn attitudes but are clearly distinct. The interaction varies, arguments between two or all three of them with the artwork being called a “piece of s***” by Marc, as opposed to a “completion of a journey” by Yvan. Then there are individual moments where the actors break the fourth wall and communicate thoughts directly at the audience.

Eventually, the dialogue leads to analysing the painting which makes me wonder if the friendship between these three men may be in some way represented by the simplicity of the abstract piece of artwork which can be interpreted in so many different ways, depending on the observer.

There is plenty of humour, one highlight being a lengthy monologue by Yvan about his forthcoming wedding and family issues, brilliantly timed and delivered by Tompkinson. Havers brings his usual charm and wit and is perfectly cast as Serge.

“Why do we see each other if we hate each other?” – Photo Matt Crockett

The three men bicker and even get physical once during the confrontational dialogue (“Why do we see each other if we hate each other?”) but it is very clear that they are in fact very close underneath this argumentative facade, thanks to the brilliant chemistry between these leading men.

The programme notes describe Art as a play “about the power of relationships within old friendships rather than a Philistine attack on modern art”. I was a big fan when I saw it years ago in London and this production has just confirmed this. It has a unique quality and humour which holds your attention throughout.

It will probably not make you spend a fortune on a piece of art but it provides great entertainment for 85 minutes. Art runs until Saturday, February 23, and it is sold out all week but contact the box office on 01483 440000 for possible returns.