by Christopher Hampton (Translator), Christopher Hampton (Translator), Christopher Hampton (Translator), Yasmina Reza (Author)
Serge has bought a modern work of art for a large sum of money. Marc hates the painting and cannot believe that a friend of his could possibly want such a work. Yvan attempts, unsuccessfully, to placate both sides with hilarious consequences. The question is: Are you who you think you are or are you who your friends think you are?
Format: Paperback
Pages: 80
Edition: Main
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Published: 04 Dec 1996
ISBN 10: 0571190146
ISBN 13: 9780571190140
Book Overview: Art by Yasmina Reza is a profound and hilarious play which asks the question: are you who you think you are, or are you who your friends think you are?
This is not some irrelevant fringe production; it is a major intervention in the cultural debate of the country by people who are keen to keep the reactionary tides running. It is probably the most sustained attack on modernism yet seen on the British stage, and it represents a stern challenge to the brilliant success story of British contemporary art. The Guardian
Not only brings to the stage a topical debate, it makes it invigorating, touching and finally disturbing. This dark comedy, translated from the French, in sparkling form, explores its themes through a rift between friends. Financial Times
A remarkably wise, witty and intelligent comedy . . . has touched a universal nerve. The Times
Chic, short, and wickedly, perceptively funny, it's the perfect West End play. Nick Curtis, Evening Standard
Art, which has been translated from the French by Christopher Hampton, is filled from first curtain to ending with a dazzling array of language. Iris Fanger, Christian Science Monitor
It's an actor's dream, a nonstop cross-fire of crackling language, serious issues of life and art expressed in outbursts that sound like Don Rickles with a degree from the Sorbonne. Brilliantly translated by Christopher Hampton, . . . Art takes that yawny old bore, the play of ideas, and jolts it to life. Jack Kroll, Newsweek
This is not some irrelevant fringe production; it is a major intervention in the cultural debate of the country by people who are keen to keep the reactionary tides running. It is probably the most sustained attack on modernism yet seen on the British stage, and it represents a stern challenge to the brilliant success story of British contemporary art. --The Guardian
Not only brings to the stage a topical debate, it makes it invigorating, touching and finally disturbing. This dark comedy, translated from the French, in sparkling form, explores its themes through a rift between friends. --Financial Times
A remarkably wise, witty and intelligent comedy . . . has touched a universal nerve. --The Times
Chic, short, and wickedly, perceptively funny, it's the perfect West End play. --Nick Curtis, Evening Standard
Art, which has been translated from the French by Christopher Hampton, is filled from first curtain to ending with a dazzling array of language. --Iris Fanger, Christian Science Monitor
It's an actor's dream, a nonstop cross-fire of crackling language, serious issues of life and art expressed in outbursts that sound like Don Rickles with a degree from the Sorbonne. Brilliantly translated by Christopher Hampton, . . . Art takes that yawny old bore, the play of ideas, and jolts it to life. --Jack Kroll, Newsweek