FOURTEENTH CAST OF THEATRE COMEDY “ART ” SPEAK ABOUT THE HIT PLAY

Three men squabbling over the merits of an abstract painting might not seem the perfect formula for a worldwide stage hit. But Art, a bittersweet tale of a souring friendship has been packing in audiences since 1996 and is set to do it all over again with its fourteenth cast.

Theatre-goers from London to Toronto to New York never seem to tire of Art — the story of Marc played by Michael French, and Serge played by James Fleet, who fall out when Serge buys a minimalist painting — infact an all-white canvas — for a vast sum.Yvan, Stephen Tompkinson, is brought in to mediate, but his fence-sitting only infuriates the other two still further. The comedy written by French playwright Yasmina Reza first opened in 1996.Since then the English language version has grossed over 100 million US dollars worldwide, playing in Los Angeles, New York, Sydney, Toronto, San Francisco and London.The international success story started when Sean Connery’s wife Micheline saw the play in Paris.After the show she rang her husband in Los Angeles and urged him to buy up the rights. Four years, 1500 performances and 14 casts on, the London production has won Laurence Olivier awards, while on Broadway it has won the Tony Award and the New York Critics’ Award. With the cast cast changing about every 12 weeks, each new trio brings a different dynamic to the three way relationship, encouraging audiences to keep coming back.

On Tuesday (February 1) it is the turn of French, Fleet and Tompkinson to take over the reins. Tompkinson, who plays ‘Yvan’, says: “When you have immense trust in the script itself, it is all there on the page.And you are in the fortunate position of attempting to guild a lily.So a big percentage of the work is already down.So gulp.But we are looking forward to it, aren’t we guys?” Tompkinson says: “It is the way brilliant way the relationship by the three men have been observed by the writer Yasmina.I think she has more of a detached third eye being a woman that she can observe men, that she can bring out more truth and more depth in the relationship than say another male writer or than if they were writing for three women.It is very unique and refreshing way of dealing with the situation.

Fleet says: “There’s a whole genre of buddy movies, isn’t there? Lethal Weapon, I’m thinking of.All sorts of things to do with male friendship, but you’re right it isn’t very English sort of thing.It is very weird, in an English thing, not to have women on the stage.” Thompkinson, Fleet and French agree that they would be happy to play any of the roles in Art. Thompkinson says: “…Well I could have had any part I wanted.” Fleet says: “He’s like Pele, whatever position he plays in he can play any position”.Tompkinson says: “I am a midfielder genius”.French says: “But you’re good in your parts.We are alright.I think the interesting thing about this play, most of us feel and a lot of other people, who’ve played in this production, when they’ve been in it that they are kind of drawn to the other parts in the production as well.So in a way a man is split in three.There are three different parts.Tompkinson says: “I’ve seen the way the others do it though, and I’m just going to stick to mine.”

In 43 different countries and 30 different languages, audiences shake with laughter at the bitter disintegration of a friendship.The play has universal appeal, which isn’t surprising.After all, who hasn’t fallen out with a friend or partner over something that seemed trivial at the time, only to balloon out of all proportion. But the new, and as they call themselves youngest cast joke, their rendition of Art brings the audience more tears of sadness than mirth.

Tompkinson says: “Not the way we play it.” Fleet says: “No, we’ve gone back to the basic tragedy, it is.” Move over Medea, the boys are back in town.I think the comedy just comes out of the peculiarites of the individual characters. Fleet says: “Mostly your peculiarities.” Thompkinson says: “Yes my walk.French says: “It’s a sensitive situation really.” It’s sad as well, and it is the break down of a 15 year relationship and being that this is the youngest cast they’ve ever had in art.Fleet says: “And Stephen is the youngest member in it.” Thompkinson says: “Yes, yes.It is a very serious thing to happen at this stage in their lives.There is quite a lot of gravity in it too.” JAMES FLEET (SERGE),”It’s like friendships, it’s like films like the big chill, who you are and what happened in your life, their life.And it’s funny when people do split up, it’s something cultural that the other person doesn’t like. ‘Oh I didn’t realise you liked those kind of trousers.I can never be your friend again’.It does touch a nerve this play.”

(REPORTER ASKS “HOW IMPORTANT DO YOU THINK IT IS TO HAVE A CELEBRITY CAST IN ART?”) Fleet says: “I suppose it helps the box office.I don’t think we are a celebrity cast, well I’m not a celebrity, but two thirds of it are a celebrity cast”.French says: “No, what are you talking about”.Tompkinson says: “He’s so hard on himself”.Fleet says: “Well I suppose it must help the box office, I don’t know”.French says: “It’s fun.I mean we are three actors who are predominantly known for television.” Tompkinson says: “The youngest cast”.French says: “Yes, the youngest cast.” Tompkinson says: “Lets keep reminding people that”.French says: “But it gives an opportunity for people who have enjoyed our work on the telly to come and see us in the theatre and experience what theatre is all about and this is a particularly brilliant play.It is only an hour and a half so anyone who is a bit nervous about coming, shouldn’t be.We are three personable guys, who would be delighted to see you here. Tompkinson says: “Quite right”.French says: “And if you’ve never been to the theatre before this is an ideal time to come.Don’t feel threatened by it because it really is fun”.

French has starred in many British television productions such as Holby City and EastEnders, while Tompkinson’s television roles include Grafters, Ballykissangel and the feature film Brassed Off.Fleet has starred in the movies Sense and Sensibility and Four Weddings and a Funeral. Art’s tale of the follies of friendship has engrossed and entertained audiences for four years and shows no sign of slowing down.Fleet, French and Tompkinson tread the boards at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre until May when a new cast will bring three fresh faces to the play.

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