What defines 'art'? Independent theatre company, Company O, takes on this Tony Award-winning work by Yasmina Reza at Perth's Fringe World.
When Serge buys an almost all white painting, an argument sparks between him and his two friends about art, and the friend group's individual opinions on what makes art. The friendships are challenged, and a fascinating conversation ensues.
Company O, an independent theatre company founded in 2012, will present the work. The company is driven by innovation in theatre and new Australian writing. Previous shows over the years include Oscar Wilde's 'Salome', one-man show 'Thom Pain', Andrew O'Connell's 'Stuck' and 'Professional Premises', and Jean-Paul Sartre's 'No Exit'.
Now the company returns to Fringe World for 'Art', a play which first premiered in Paris in 1994.
Here, we chat to Company O Founder/Actor/Director Andrew O'Connell about the production.
First of all, what is ‘Art’ all about?
Three friends argue about a white painting! Serge has bought an almost entirely white painting, much to the chagrin of his friend, Marc, who feels he’s losing his friend to the ‘high end’ of town. Their friend Ivan tries to keep them from arguing about the painting but he only makes things worse!
Why do you think this play’s themes will resonate with audiences?
'Art' is a reflection of ALL friendships. Audiences will see themselves in one or more of the characters as their jealousies, insinuations, petty insults, back-handed compliments, and bitter accusations all come to the fore! Audiences will also find themselves at once on one side of the debate then on the other: is the work of art they’re contemplating indeed a work of art – or is it a ‘piece of white sh.t’?
What’s your favourite thing about this production?
I find the debate over an exclusively white painting to be a fascinating one. Equally fascinating is how an exclusively white painting can bring a 15-year friendship to its knees.
Tell us a bit about Company O for those who may not be familiar.
An independent theatre company based in Perth, Company O is interested in new Australian writing and innovative interpretations of contemporary classics. Company O often uses found spaces to contextualise storytelling. In 2020, 'Professional Premises', a new Australian play written by Andrew O’Connell, about a series of disastrous rehearsals, was performed in a co-working space of Paper Mountain, a Perth-based artist space and gallery. In 2021, the company performed Jean-Paul Sartre’s 'No Exit' inside a bespoke shipping container. And in 2022, Yasmina Reza’s 'Art' was performed at Holmes á Court Gallery @no. 10, an art gallery in West Perth. The 2023 season of 'Art' will be performed at Mossenson Galleries in Subiaco.
How would you like Company O to be known and seen as by the masses?
Company O is an intense, raw, and unapologetic theatre company who does not pander to, nor ‘wink at’, audiences. Company O is not into virtue signalling, ‘hitting audiences over the head’, or pompous interpretations of texts. Audiences know if they want to feel good about themselves, they should avoid a Company O production. When audiences see a Company O play they know they will be challenged, they know they will experience the ugliness and beauty of humanity in equal measure, and they know they’ll have to confront some kind of harsh truth.
Why do you think theatre is such a powerful, impactful art form?
Theatre is so impactful because we experience other people with our five (and perhaps six, or even seven!) senses. Audience members sense each other and they sense the performers and other unseen creatives (directors, writers, lighting, sound and set designers, and others) who, with a unique kind of energy set about communicating the deepest truths in existence. No matter how far away from the stage you are, you will physically feel Hamlet’s melancholy, Gertrude’s pain, Ophelia’s madness, Claudius’ rage, Laertes’ regret. . . And these feelings transform us in a way the big screen can’t. Theatre is being AT the ‘campsite’ when the story is told around the fire – not watching or listening to a recording.
What does it mean for Company O to be involved in Fringe World?
We’d like to think that Company O and Fringe World have a mutually beneficial arrangement. We’re privileged and grateful to have the Fringe World platform on which to showcase our theatre company, and Fringe World gains a valuable option for patrons – a full-length classic contemporary play, which is not as common at Fringe World as shorter, perhaps newer and more experimental, theatre pieces. Within the context of Fringe World, 'Art' probably does not reflect the kind of risk-taking that is characteristic of a fringe festival but it would fit nicely in a fringe-goer’s ‘portfolio’: a risqué burlesque, a stand-up comedian, some music, some dance, and the classic but contemporary 'Art', worth every cent of the ticket price.
How are you hoping audiences respond to this work in particular?
We’re hoping audiences will deem 'Art' one of the best plays they’ve seen because, indeed, it’s one of the best plays that has ever been written. We’re confident audiences will thoroughly enjoy this play performed in an art gallery accompanied by a wine or two, and some jazz music, before the show.
What’s next for Company O?
Company O will be back in November 2023 with another contemporary classic – the very sexy 'Venus In Fur', performed at the New-York-loft-style warehouse, Fridays Studio, in West Perth.
'Art' plays Mossenson Galleries (Fringe World) 27 January-5 February.
