Art- by Yasmina Reza

The Story

(translated by Christopher Hampton)

Provocative and thought provoking and with not a small amount of humor.

At issue, in part, is the famous question: "What is art ?"

Art is one of the rare dramas that finds its way to almost every theatre town,  a play that must be seen and discussed. Its themes have universal appeal, as its stunning international success has shown.

The story, about art and friendship, is marvelously simple. Serge buys a modern painting for a relatively large sum of money (200,000 French francs). It is basically a large canvas, about five foot by four, painted white, with "fine white diagonal scars". One friend is completely unsettled by Serge's purchase while another mutual friend is more ambivalent.

"Anyone looking for a play that is funny, sophisticated, stylish, stimulating and moving, should go to  Art said The Independent (London).

"In October, I called it a minor classic. Let's change that to classic comedy, period" wrote The London Times.