Art

An unconventional performance space can make or break a theatrical production, but the Holmes à Court Gallery was an inspired and excellent choice for the performance of Art, as well as allowing audiences the pleasure of viewing the Mangkaja Exhibition, currently on show at the gallery.

Played in a corner of the gallery, the intimate performance space allows the audience to be very close to the action. In Art, Serge has spent a large sum of money on an entirely white painting, which upsets his friend Marc. Their mutual friend Ivan attempts to calm the tension between the two but makes things worse.

Using the gallery as the backdrop, the set consists of three chairs - mostly used to create Serge’s lounge room. Designed and lit by Jason Neil Mossel-Crossley, the key prop, the white work of art has been created by Julie Pheasant.

The cast of three have a tangible rapport, and despite the tension throughout the play, one can easily believe that these three have been firm friends for some fifteen years. Andrew O’Connell, pulling double duty as actor and director is very convincing as Marc, anchoring the show well. Nigel Goodwin is strong as Serge, with an impressive performance, that may well be his best in Perth to date, as Serge. Jason Robert Lester wins audience sympathy as ‘meat in the sandwich” and much put-upon Ivan, in a finely tuned comic characterisation.

Musical punctuation is provided by Krispin Maesalu on bassoon - which provides an interesting and sometimes quite haunting musical commentary throughout.

A story that keeps the audience involved; this well acted play was particularly suited to its intimate, artistic location. A very enjoyable evening.

Kimberley Shaw