Written by Yasmina Reza

Directed by Jacqueline Wheble

Review by Hunter King

The Scottish Storytelling Centre

The Edinburgh People’s Theatre have made their way to the Netherbow Theatre of the Scottish Storytelling Centre to question how we evaluate art, and friendships in Yasmina Reza’s Art.

Art tells the story of three long-time friends whose friendship immediately falters when Serge (Ade Smith) decides to spend €100,000 on a “painting” that is entirely white. Marc (Richard Spiers) immediately calls Serge out for the absurd purchase, while Yvan (Andy Moseley) gets caught in the crossfire. The three frienemies first decide to approach each other with caution, before inevitably deciding to throw caution to the wind, without a care of whose feelings they may hurt.

Director, Jacqueline Wheble puts together a production that mostly strips the bells and whistles to focus almost entirely on the dialogue between the three actors on stage. Some moments still have technical elements added, such as transition music and spotlights as actors deliver asides to the audience. Unfortunately most of these elements take focus away from the production at hand and contribute to the biggest flaw of the show: an unstructured pace. Despite the show itself only being 90 minutes, there are moments (specifically in the earlier parts of the show) that can drag along, where dialogue is intentionally drawn out in areas that could be snappier to keep the attention of the audience. Where the show succeeds however is in the believability and dynamics between the three cast members.

Smith brings a quiet satisfaction to Serge, clearly embodying the life of a man whose friends live in a different social class and tax bracket than himself. His quiet and seemingly uncaring demeanor early in the show makes for his inevitable break to be both believable and satisfying. Spiers plays Marc with a strong grasp on reality. His arguments throughout the show are relatable to the audience, and are only tarnished by his booming arrogance that makes the audience want to turn on him. Spiers perfectly toes the line of likeability, making a complex character that commands the attention of the room whenever he steps on stage. Moseley plays Yvan with an over-the-top whininess that adds a level of comedy to the show that constantly provides the needed levity and biggest laughs of the night. His several minute monologue about dealing with his wedding preparations serves as perhaps the strongest part of the show.

The three gentlemen each complement each other, knowing exactly how to give and take focus, leaving the audience with 90 minutes of an easy watch. Their hijinks spiral to a point that makes their arguments almost Three Stooges-esque, only if they were wealthy and pretentious. Overall, Art provides a story that is relatable and simultaneously insufferable, but in the most entertaining way.

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