ART till 30 August

Sherborne Castle and touring Chapterhouse Theatre Company's open air production

ART: By Yazmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton

Tours to 30 August 2004
Runs 1hr 30 mins no interval (raffle held before the play for tickets and wine)
Review Hazel Brown 28 July at Sherborne Castle

Young cast and open air add new dimensions to this classic modern comedyIt was an unexpected pleasure to see a sophisticated modern comedy being performed in the open air, rather than the expected Shakespeare comedies and children's productions. This meant that there was an older, more attentive audience, once the action started, than is usually the case with summer productions. However, the pre-play picnics increased in seriousness, too. This time my attention was held by a party of twelve tucking into a three course meal, finishing with coffee served in ornate, proper, but plastic, coffee cups. Middle England takes outside entertaining much too seriously and art not seriously enough.

This production was a bold new venture for Chapterhouse, with excellent direction from Nigel Havers, who, of course, knows the play from the inside and, now, the outside. On a totally white set that contrasts with the green swards of the country houses where it is performed, the three young actors successfully created the hothouse atmosphere that examines attitudes to art, modern and classical, as well as their friendship and relationships. Having three such young actors gave a new dimension to the play: young, testosterone fuelled jockeying was the order of the day, rather than middle-aged angst-ridden navel gazing. All three actors wore similar dark suits, shirts and ties, reinforcing their links and inter-dependence.

Hampered by an annoying echo off the walls of Sherborne Castle, Kyle Reece was suitably pugnacious as Marc, who cannot believe that his friend Serge would spend so much money on a completely white painting. Tom Sykes' Serge was an effete poseur, ripe for taking down a peg or two and David Chittenden a disarming, lanky Yvan, who wanted nothing more than to keep the peace. He also won everyone's hearts with his hilarious, heartfelt distress at the falling apart of the arrangements for his forthcoming wedding. The ostensible subject of the play was the controversial white painting, but it was just the catalyst for the three men to examine their relationships, precipitate a bust-up and bring about a final, compromise resolution.

The production proves that a good play is a good play, no matter where it is staged and it is certainly worth braving the uncertain British summer to see this one.

CAST
Marc: Kyle Reece
Serge: Tom Sykes
Yvan: David Chittenden

Director: Nigel Havers
Set Design and Construction: Rob Anderson and Andy Dorritt
Costumes from West Yorkshire Playhouse

2004-08-07 08:44:26