Latest reviews
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"The dialogue zips along with razor-sharp humour, keeping the audience entertained and laughing out loud while simultaneously making us think about what art and friendship really mean. ART has stood the test of time since its 1994 premiere, thanks to its universal themes and perfectly paced, dry comedy.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Brighton Journal -
"It strikes every note right. A tiny masterpiece. A serious emotional and intellectual treat… thirty years after its opening, Yasmina Reza’s ART is still a favourite Seann Walsh, better known as a standup and new to the “legit” stage, treats the play with delicate honesty and is wickedly, wickedly funny."
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Libby Purves, TheatreCat.com -
"Although written more than 30 years ago, Art perfectly resonates with the present."
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Showtime -
"A moving and deeply thought provoking though hilariously funny play, with equally compelling and gutsy performances from all three characters."
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Behind The Arras -
"A Powerful evening's theatre. A very fine revival, another triumph"
West End Best Friend
★ ★ ★ ★ -
"Exceptional acting... Very clever, sharp and witty writing"
What's Good To Do
★ ★ ★ ★ -
"The acting is exemplary... The production manages to tickle the funny-bone whilst engaging us intellectually"
Stage Talk Magazine
★ ★ ★ ★ -
"There is no shortage of comedy in this production"
★ ★ ★ ★
Bristol Post -
"Director Iqbal Khan has updated the original production in the 30th Anniversary year to give us a very well written dialogue, cleverly combining the serious with the funny making for a very enjoyable and thought-provoking experience.“
★ ★ ★ ★
Fairy Powered Productions -
"Art is a brilliantly crafted and stimulating piece of theatre"
★ ★ ★ ★
Theatre and Tonic -
"This play deserves to be seen."
★ ★ ★ ★
East Midlands Theatre -
“This is a superb production of a timeless play that is well worth revisiting or seeing for the first time. Thoroughly recommended.”
British Theatre Guide
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"A thought-provoking comedy masterpiece. Fiendishly clever and funny play… This latest production is well worth a visit."
Wiltshire Times
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"Laugh out loud... Comedically timed to perfection. A show like no others that I have seen and it left the audience buzzing"
Eyes on Stage
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"Funny, tragic and thought-provoking... All three players combine well, but Walsh gets the biggest acclaim"
Bournemouth Echo
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"It is VERY funny... a stylish and beautifully paced production"
The Fine Times Recorder
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"This is a smooth confident production"
Bath Echo
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"Seann Walsh demonstrates great acting ability along with brilliant comic timing... a tour-de-force"
The Fine Times Recorder
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"The three actors harmonise beautifully and their interactions were slick and well-timed."
Bath Magazine
Joshua Beaumont & Original Theatre present
ART
A comedy by Yasmina Reza
Translated by Christopher Hampton
Directed by Iqbal Khan
The smash hit comedy returns.
A seemingly simple purchase of contemporary art - an all-white painting – ignites a hilarious debate amongst three close friends. What begins as a light-hearted discussion about art quickly descends into a riotous exploration of the blurred lines between art and reality.
This multi-award winning play (winner of Best Comedy at the Olivier Awards, Tony Awards and Moliere Awards) is a razor sharp exploration of art, love and friendship that will stay with you long after the curtain falls.
With award-winning comedian Seann Walsh, Chris Harper (Call the Midwife, Coronation Street) and Aden Gillett (The Crown, The House of Elliot), Iqbal Khan (East is East, National Theatre and Othello, RSC) directs a brand-new production of Yasmina Reza's fiendishly clever and hilariously funny play.
Age guidance 12+ l Running Time: 80 mins
previous reviews for art:
“You’ll roar with laughter”
New York Times
“Art is a phenomenon”
The Times
“Funny, sophisticated, stylish, stimulating and moving”
The Independent
Meet the Cast
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Seann Walsh
Yvan
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Chris Harper
Serge
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Aden Gillett
Marc
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Russell Layton
Understudy
Videos
Remaining tour dates:
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Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
15 - 19 October
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Sheffield Lyceum
22 - 26 October
Creative Team
Director - Iqbal Khan
Set and Lighting Designer - Ciaran Bagnall
Composer and Sound Designer - Max Pappenheim
Associate Director - Olivia Millar-Ross
Fight Director: Claire Llewellyn of Rc-Annie Ltd
Production Manager - Brian Watson
Costume Supervisor - Nancy Surman
Props Supervisor - Katie Balmforth
Marketing - Emma Martin for Original Theatre
PR - Alison Duguid PR
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Find out more about touring dates for ART and other shows from Original Theatre