Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre shimmered with anticipation on Thursday night as Yasmina Reza’s razor-edged comedy ART opened to a rapturous reception, confirming its place as one of the most electrifying theatrical events of the year, to date.
Directed with precision and flair by Lee Lewis, this new production brings together three of Australia’s most formidable actors, Richard Roxburgh, Damon Herriman and Toby Schmitz, in a masterclass of chemistry, timing and emotional acuity. From the moment the lights rose, the trio commanded the stage with an ease that belied the intricate emotional terrain beneath the play’s deceptively simple premise.
At the heart of ART lies a question as absurd as it is profound: what happens when one man buys an expensive, almost entirely white painting? What unfolds is a brilliantly observed dissection of friendship, taste and ego, as long-held loyalties begin to crack under the strain of differing opinions. Reza’s script, as sharp as ever, finds new vitality in this production, drawing peals of laughter that frequently give way to moments of startling recognition.
Roxburgh delivers a performance of remarkable control, anchoring the production with quiet intensity, while Herriman brings a wonderfully offbeat unpredictability that keeps the audience on edge. Schmitz, meanwhile, is a revelation, equal parts comic and heartbreaking, he navigates the play’s shifting emotional currents with extraordinary finesse. Together, they create a dynamic that feels at once volatile and deeply authentic.
The production’s visual world, crafted by Set and Costume Designer Charles Davis, is elegantly restrained, allowing the actors and text to take centre stage. Every detail feels considered, from the stark gallery setting to the subtle costuming that reflects each character’s inner life.
Opening night drew a glittering crowd, with the red carpet captured by Australia’s most famous photographer, Lord Murray Schoorman of Peak Hour Images in association with TS Publicity, adding a touch of glamour to an evening already rich in artistic triumph.
Co-produced by Paul Wheelton AM, the Mariner Group and State Theatre Company South Australia, ART stands as a testament to the enduring power of great writing and exceptional performance. In an age of spectacle, it is refreshing, and exhilarating, to witness theatre that relies so confidently on language, character and the unspoken tensions that bind us.
This is comedy with a scalpel’s edge and a generous heart. Melbourne audiences would be wise not to miss it.
ART is now playing at the Comedy Theatre, with tickets available via premier.ticketek.com.au
