What can you do with a white canvas? Not a blank canvas, mind you, a white one…with white paint in vaguely diagonal lines. Such a white canvas becomes the catalyst for a life-changing evening amongst friends in Yasmina Reza’s ART. Directed by Chloë Rose Flowers and using the translation by Christopher Hampton, ART is less about painting and more about the art of the friendship. This quick and biting three-hander is a perfect start to King Theatre Company’s 2025 season.

When you enter Laskay Hall, the audience is surrounded by beautiful works of art. Artistic Director Chloë Rose Flowers has arranged for local artists to be able to exhibit and sell their artwork. It creates an immersive setting for the play, while also fostering the thriving artistic community in King City. There were several pieces which caught my eye, and one was even sold on opening night. Thankfully, none of these pieces are likely to cause quite as much controversy as the painting at the centre of ART.

The set likewise compliments the story perfectly: it’s set up like a posh apartment with white walls (very fitting), a small sofa and a chair as well as a bookcase and coffee table. A large easel sits at the back of the room, awaiting the subject of the piece. Lisa Van Oorschot’s lighting design allows the audience to understand when we’re switching from one apartment to the other, as well as when the characters give their asides.

Serge has bought a painting by a well respected modernist painter and he’s spent a mint on it. It’s a massive canvas, five feet by four, and it’s white….solid white with perhaps diagonal lines running through it. He asks his two closest friends, Marc and Yvan to come and see the paintings on different occasions, with wildly different responses from each of them. When they finally meet up at Serge’s apartment before a night out, everyone’s opinions get out into the open and their friendship of over a decade is put into question. Fraught with secrets, marital drama, and some olives to keep everyone satisfied, this is a night the trio won’t soon forget.

Living room dramas are fascinating, and this one is no different. It’s very reminiscent of Interior Design or The Boys in the Band, where a gathering amongst old friends suddenly turns sour. What’s intriguing about Reza’s script is how the information is meted out to the audience. We see them only in pairs for the majority of the piece – talking about one another behind each other’s backs. To see them gossip, even though we know they’re friends, begins to give us an indication of who they are. Or rather, who they’re capable of being. As the truths are revealed, you can feel the mounting tension which finally gets released when they’re all together, it’s just a matter of the level of destruction that tension is going to cause.

This trio of performers bring down the house with their comedic timing and strong delivery. Fred Kuhr plays Serge, the art enthusiast. Kuhr is wildly funny, and gives a certain je ne sais quoi to Serge that makes you adore him and want to roll your eyes all at the same time. Josh Palmer is back with King Theatre Company as Marc, the outspoken one of the group. His sharp tongue and commanding presence are absolutely fitting for this character. Ganesh Thava’s Yvan is sweet yet shy, and he’s the doormat of the group. Thava’s physical comedy had me bursting out laughing, yet he also delivers a deeply emotional performance.

At the heart of ART is how we treat one another: the secret opinions we dare not tell one another, the danger of gossiping about other friends, and the white lies we tell to keep the peace. Though the painting divides them apart, it’s up to them to decide how they want to piece themselves back together, which is the true beauty found within the play.

ART runs at Laskay Hall in King City until April 19. For more information and tickets, visit: “ART” | King Theatre Company

---

Cover Photo: Josh Palmer, Ganesh Thava, and Fred Kuhr. Photo by Landon Nesbitt.

---

Thank you to my Patrons:

N. Bushnik, S. Fisher, B. Kinnon, D. Moyes

And to my supporters who’ve bought me a coffee:

Angelica and Paul, Anonymous, Adrianna, Caitlin, and Jonathan

Would you like to become a Patron? Check out my Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/AViewfromtheBox

Or, you can buy me a coffee at: buymeacoffee.com/aviewfromthebox