Dates for Reading and Audition for ‘Art’ by Yasmina Reza

READING AND AUDITION NOTICE

‘ART’ by YASMINA REZA
Translated by Christopher Hampton

Performance dates: 18-28 January 2023

REHEARSALS WILL COMMENCE LATE NOVEMBER AND THERE WILL BE A TWO WEEK BREAK FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR, RECOMMENCING REHEARSALS EARLY JANUARY.

READING: Tuesday 9 August 7.30 at p.m.
AUDITIONS: Sunday 14 August at 2.30 p.m.

The reading and the audition will be held at the Loft. Please come to the Stage Door at the rear of the theatre in Spencer’s Yard. This is clearly marked with a mural of a row of theatrical shoes, pointing to the direction of the Stage Door in the corner of the Yard.

 

Yasmina Reza is one of the most successful playwrights of our time. Her insightful, witty writing and Christopher Hampton’s exquisite translation are a killer combination.  I have directed both their writing many times.  It’s delicious!

‘Art’ ran for 8 years in London, winning an Olivier and 600 performances on Broadway, winning a Tony.

What has been the secret of the enduring appeal for so many talented actors?  Michael Billington thinks he knows………

“I’ve long suspected the popularity of ‘Art’ is that it raises one of drama’s eternal questions: how much truth and honesty human beings can stand”

Michael Billington, The Guardian

The plot is simple, the depth impressive. Serge buys an apparently pure white canvas by a fashionable artist for an eyewatering sum. His close friend Marc thinks he’s insane. Yvan, their mutual friend, tries to mediate and they both turn on him. It raises fundamental questions of friendship.  Is it possible to have a close relationship with someone whose views are radically different from our own?  A laugh out loud funny play, it is much garlanded and won the Olivier award at its premiere in London for Best New Comedy.  Reza was puzzled as, on accepting the award, she remarked “I thought I had written a tragedy.”

 

There are three very tasty roles, characters with distinct differences, which gives the play its depth.

 

SERGE: A  divorced consultant dermatologist, enamoured by – and considers himself something of a connoisseur of –  the contemporary world around him. Self assured and charming, but capable of immense emotional cruelty

 

MARC ; an aeronautical engineer, with a partner Paula …and in matters of taste, a conventional classicist. His taste in art is very different. Something of a cynic, with free flowing candour. Tells it like it is.

 

YVAN: a Salesman in a stationery firm, about to marry…..peacemaker, introvert, fastidious, bordering on the neurotic and stressed by the complications of his life, which threaten to derail him.

 

To register interest, or if you are interested but can’t make the dates… or for any more information, please get in touch with the director, Sue Moore at suemoore@lofttheatrecompany.com

CASTING POLICY

The Loft’s casting policy is centred on casting the very best actors for each role. Casting will always be open and neutral. Everyone is welcome and warmly encouraged to attend auditions.  If specific race/ethnicity or other characteristics are central to the story, we will make this clear in audition notices. There is no pre-casting without the express permission of the Artistic Director.

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