WHEN IS ART NOT ART? THAT'S THE QUESTION AS A COMEDY HITS THE STAGE AT THEATR CLWYD

A brand new production of a multi-award winning comedy is set to take to the stage at Theatr Clwyd.

Staged by Disley Theatrical Productions, 'Art' by Yasmina Reza will run at the venue's studio theatre - Theatr Weston, from Wednesday 15^th - Saturday 18^th July at 7.45pm. There will also be a matinee performance at 2.45pm on Saturday 18^th July. The play will be directed by Simon Phillips.

Described as "a dark comedy that explores the limits of friendship", 'Art' tells the story of three friends, Marc (Simon Phillips), Serge (Chris Jones) and Yvan (Stuart Rathe). Serge has just bought a very expensive painting. It’s about five feet by four, all white with white diagonal lines. To Marc, the painting is a joke, but Serge insists Marc doesn’t have the proper standard to judge the work. Another friend, Yvan, though burdened by his own problems, allows himself to be pulled into this disagreement. Eager to please, Yvan tells Serge he likes the painting. Lines are drawn, and these old friends square off over the canvas, using it as an excuse to relentlessly batter one another over various failures.

Originally a French language play, 'Art' was translated in to English by Christopher Hampton and premiered at Wyndham’s Theatre in London on 15 October 1996. Directed by Matthew Warchus, the production featured Albert Finney, Tom Courtenay and Ken Stott. On 1 March 1998, the play premiered on Broadway at the Royale Theatre. Directed by Warchus, the Broadway production featured Alan Alda, Victor Garber and Alfred Molina.  Featuring a whole host of star names including  Roger Allam, Edward Woodward, Peter Egan, Art Malik, Warren Mitchell, Stephen Tompkinson, James Fleet, Nigel Havers and Roger Lloyd-Pack, the show ran for over six years, closing on 3 January 2003. The final West End cast comprised Reece Shearsmith, Steve Pemberton and Mark Gatiss (aka The League of Gentlemen).

Speaking about the play, the show's producer Luke Disley said:

"This play is award-winning for a reason. Best New Comedy at the Oliviers and it won the Tony for Best New Play. In rehearsals I’ve been able to see exactly why. The premise is simple, the setting is simple, the relationships are anything but. The cast are as strong as you will find in the North Wales area. It’s been brilliant to see them bouncing off one another in rehearsals, collaborating on making these complex characters come to life. The audience at Theatr Clwyd are in for a real treat, we cannot wait to get this amazing piece of work in front of them.”

Full details of 'Art' can be found at: 

www.theatrclwyd.com 

...where tickets can be booked online.

Alternatively, contact the Theatr Clwyd Box Office on:

01352 344 101