ART. To 30 July.
Exeter/Tour
ART
by Yasmina Reza
Northcott Theatre To 5 March
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat 5 March 2.30pm
After-show talk 23 Feb
then tour to 30 July 2005
Runs 1hr 30min No interval
TICKETS: 01392 493493 (Exeter)
Review Hazel Brown 7 February 2005
On the road again with three new lads finding art a forum to examine friendship.Actors who have appeared in the play are trying their hand at directing and taking Art on the road first it was Nigel Havers and now Simon Shepherd. Well known himself from television, he has lined up two other familiar faces, Russell Boulter and Michael Garner. It is interesting to see what these well-known actors bring to this very funny piece that examines friendship tested in the white heat generated by the acquisition of a controversial modern painting.
As Serge, Simon Shepherd brings a restless charm to the wealthy professional who takes a flyer' and buys an expensive, controversial painting. He tries to railroad his two friends into acknowledging he has bought a masterpiece. Marc is horrified; Russell Boulter brings out this character's vulnerability, someone who views the painting as a piece of shit' - principally because its purchase signals a shift in his relationship with Serge. Rather than being an aesthete, Boulter has a jack the lad' attitude, grounded in established attitudes and tastes.
Michael Garner, as Yvan, the moderator between the other two, bumbles between them unable to believe they could fall out over a painting while his own life is coming apart at the seams. His aria of hysteria over the (off-stage) debacle concerning his impending marriage unfortunately starts off at too high a pitch and proves difficult to sustain as he reveals the absurdity of trying to sort out who does or does not appear on the wedding invitation.
However, there is much to enjoy in this production, which certainly had me laughing out loud as the trio turn on each another in succession. In the end, friendship conquers and they find a way to compromise and keep the three-cornered relationship intact. For the first time in this production, I noticed that the three chairs featured on the all white set reflected the characters of each man a chrome and leather modern piece for Serge, a square, Habitat type of padded armchair for Yvan and a regency style chair for Marc.
So, although this play has done the rounds several times over the past few years, this production richly repays another viewing.
Marc: Russell Boulter
Serge: Simon Shepherd
Yvan: Michael Garner
Director: Simon Shepherd
Designer/Lighting: Leigh Porter
Composer: Gary Yershon
Sound: Mic Pool
2005-02-12 23:57:36