Get ready for a play that will have you questioning everything! Art, a wickedly funny satire, explores the depths of male friendship and the power dynamics that can tear it apart.
In this thought-provoking piece, written by French playwright Yasmina Reza, we meet three friends: Marc, Serge, and Yvan. The story unfolds when Serge purchases a painting that, to Marc's eyes, resembles nothing more than a plain white rectangle. This seemingly innocent act sparks an intense and potentially friendship-ending argument, leaving us wondering: can art truly be a deal-breaker?
But here's where it gets controversial... Art has been performed on Broadway and in London, with each production bringing its own unique twist. Now, an Australian adaptation, translated by Christopher Hampton and directed by Lee Lewis, is taking center stage. Richard Roxburgh, Damon Herriman, and Toby Schmitz lead the cast, bringing their real-life friendship to the roles of Marc, Serge, and Yvan, respectively.
Roxburgh describes Art as "a beautifully wrought interrogation of change." When a friend does something unexpected, it challenges the dynamics of a friendship group. And this is the part most people miss... it's not just about the art; it's about the unspoken rules and expectations that bind friends together.
The cast's real-life friendship adds an intriguing layer to the production. Roxburgh and Schmitz have a history of working together, while Herriman stepped in for Schmitz in a previous production. Their shared trust and understanding make for a compelling performance, especially when their characters engage in cruel exchanges on stage.
"You can't act without trust," Schmitz emphasizes. "When you have years of trust, it's a great starting point for your characters to wound each other."
Herriman believes the secret to a long-lasting friendship lies in shared humor, honesty, and, of course, trust. Roxburgh agrees, adding that patience is also key. However, he urges his friends to hold off on any harsh criticisms of Art until after the show has ended, preferably a year later!
Art also delves into the relationship between the characters and their artistic tastes. Serge's controversial abstract painting hangs alongside Marc's figurative landscape and Yvan's "daub" on the wall. This exploration of art extends beyond the stage, as the actors reveal their own relationships with art.
Roxburgh admits he once struggled to appreciate the work of American abstract artist Mark Rothko. But a chance encounter with Rothko's paintings in a gallery changed his perspective. "It wasn't just two colors; it was a thousand different colors," he recalls. Art, for Roxburgh, is about challenging your perceptions and coming away moved.
Schmitz, on the other hand, describes himself as a "daub guy." He dreams of winning the lottery to buy a Norman Rockwell painting or a collection of rare comic books, and he'd also use the money to support an emerging artist, just as some successful actors do.
The timing of Art's production feels significant, given the so-called "male loneliness epidemic." Research suggests that men often rely on their female partners for emotional support, and this play explores male friendship in a world where technology has changed the way we connect.
"The world was different in the 1990s," Roxburgh observes. "You had to talk to each other because you couldn't sit and look at your iPhones."
In Art, the lack of technology forces Marc, Serge, and Ivan to confront the rupture in their friendship. Roxburgh sees beauty in this, believing that solving problems as human beings is a vital skill in an age where people are becoming more divided.
"The characters in Art have to fight their way out of their trenches because the importance of friendship is so great," he says. "It speaks more loudly than ever to the position we find ourselves in as a species."
Catch Art at the Roslyn Packer Theatre in Sydney until March 8, and then as it tours Brisbane, Melbourne, and Adelaide. This play is a must-see for anyone interested in the complexities of male friendship and the power of art to challenge our perceptions.
