[THEATRE REVIEW] ART @ Comedy Theatre Review (2026)
A fresh banana duct-taped to the wall. Is that art?
Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan created controversy with his ‘nana, named Comedian and regarded as conceptual art, which debuted at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019.
The controversy was hardly surprising, but it triggered an intense debate about the definition of art.
In fact, that year three iterations of Comedian sold for between US$120,000 and US$150,000 a piece.
Then, in November 2024, a version of the work was sold to a Chinese cryptocurrency entrepreneur for US$6.2 million.
The focus of the razor-sharp comedy ART is not a banana, but a white canvas 5 ft x 4 ft, containing a few white lines.
The play by Yasmina Reza premiered in 1994 at Comédie des Champs-Élysées in Paris.
The English-language adaptation, translated by Christopher Hampton, opened in the West End two years later and on Broadway in 1998.
It claimed the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy and the New York Drama Critics’ Award and Tony Award for Best Play.
Set in Europe, ART involves three long-standing friends.
Aeronautical engineer Marc isn’t afraid to call a spade a spade.
He is appalled and angered when he discovers that dermatologist Serge has bought an all-white painting by an artist named Antrios (fictional) for 160,000 Euros.
In short, he calls the work “a piece of shit”, which Serge, who likes modern art, finds deeply offensive.
Marc immediately turns to another “tolerant” mate of theirs, Yvan – who used to be in textiles but has just started as a stationery sales agent – for his opinion and support.
Marc thinks that Serge has gone crazy, but Yvan, a notorious fence sitter, tries to calm him down with soothing words, including “if it makes him happy”.
It doesn’t work and when Yvan first sees the painting for himself, he is accepting of it.
Still, in their escalating argument over the “artwork”, Marc and Serge claim the other has lost his sense of humour.
And it is not long before they start potting the attempted peacemaker Yvan too.
In fact, both Yvan’s fiancé (he is about to be married) and Marc’s wife (neither of whom we meet) become collateral damage in the crossfire, as relations between the trio deteriorate.
The hilarious one-liners that continue to be delivered throughout ART are cutting, sensational and priceless – laugh aloud funny, time and again.
That is not to overlook a breathless diatribe by Yvan in relaying to the others a disagreement over the names to be included on his wedding invitation.
Going on and on, it is nothing short of comedic genius.
ART is a brilliant piece of theatre, which has been superbly written and adapted, delivered in outstanding fashion by three magnificent actors.
The trio is en pointe throughout … at the top of their game.
They deliver their lines (zinger after zinger) as if handling the most precious Stradivarius … with a deft touch (in this case, often a deliberately heavy hand, as is called for in the script).
The laughs come not only from what they say, but how they say it – from their facial expressions and contorted body movements.
Each has ample opportunity to shine and they excel.
Forget subtlety, this becomes The War of the Roses (think the 1989 satirical black comedy featuring Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito).
Charles Davis’ spacious, minimalist set design suits the piece perfectly, as does his costuming, which highlights the different characteristics of the players.
Paul Jackson’s lighting design is superb. He draws a line between the characters’ individual thoughts (as played out on stage) and their one-on-one and group interactions.
Enhancing the experience is Max Lambert’s original music and David Letch’s sound design.
Director Lee Lewis is at pains to convert each and every morsel of this eloquent production into audience satisfaction and he certainly succeeds in doing so.
ART is a play I am delighted to be able to canvas. Please buy a ticket to see this fly on the wall hoot, which will undoubtedly leave you with precious memories – all 160,000 Euros worth.
Ninety minutes without interval, it is on at Comedy Theatre until 17th May, 2026.
Review by Alex First Photography by Brett Boardman