Art

How do you react when your best friend spends 100,000 Euros on a 4-foot by 5-foot canvas that appears to be completely white? Does it have artistic merit, or do you tell it like it is? This is the dilemma at the heart of Yasmina Reza’s play Art, translated from French by Christopher Hampton, which raises questions about art and friendship. It features three long-term friends who react differently to the painting and find themselves questioning their relationship and, as a result, put that friendship under considerable strain.

In the brand new and very comfortable Stroud Village Hall, we were greeted with an art exhibition, assembled by the cast, and a stark white set. A white backdrop with white cubes to sit on, a couple of white plinths, and an easel for the controversial painting. Lighting was simple, emphasising the whiteness of the set and so were the costumes – jeans and white t-shirts painted with coloured stripes, unifying the cast.

Serge (Joff Lacey) is delighted with his purchase from a reputable artist and is convinced it is worth every penny, but Marc (Matin Hogg) is horrified that he would spend so much on a “piece of white shit” and tells him so. Ivan (Ben Gander) tries to see both sides and be the peacemaker, vacillating between supporting each of them, but has his own worries about his upcoming wedding. The play doesn’t have conventional scenes and acts, but directors Jack May and Miri Bradder have allowed each section of the play to merge almost seamlessly into the next by cleverly setting the characters not involved to sit on the cubes, ignoring the action.

All three men turn in fine, well considered performances as three completely different characters, each passionate in their own way. Joff Lacey’s Serge is full of enthusiasm for the artwork, defensive and indignant at any insults. He picks apart Marc’s lack of any real justification for his dislike of it. His rage at Ivan’s lateness and lack of consideration is also very credible. Martin Hogg makes Marc a very believable, down to earth character who tells it like it is, without apology. It gradually emerges that he is more worried that Serge is acting independently and no longer shares his views. Ben Gander’s Ivan is convincing as the go-between, keeping both sides happy until he suddenly explodes over the issue of who should be named on his wedding invitations – a masterclass in letting frustration boil over, that thoroughly deserved the round of applause he received at the end.

This was a fascinating play that was skilfully brought to life by the directors and small cast. It caught my imagination, drew me in, amused me, made me think and held me in its grip throughout. Brilliant – thank you for a memorable experience!

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