A White Canvas, Three Friends, and the Depths of Human Nature

Contemporary French comedy "Art" is being staged at Shanghai's Jasmine Theater, starting this week. The play uses a white painting as a catalyst to vividly depict friendship and human nature.

"Art" is the breakout work of French playwright Yasmina Reza. It premiered in 1994 at the Comédie des Champs-Élysées in Paris.

In 1996, an English version produced by Scottish star Sean Connery, the first actor to play James Bond in films, was staged at Wyndham's Theater in London, drawing attention from international arts festivals. Since then, the play has been translated into over 40 languages and has travelled the globe.

The story revolves around a white painting worth two million yuan (US$290,700). Serge, a dermatologist, holds it in the highest esteem, seeing it as the pinnacle of art, while Marc, an aerospace designer, scoffs at it, dismissing it as nothing more than "a blank canvas." Caught in between, stationery salesman Yvan tries to mediate but only finds himself in deeper trouble.

What begins as a debate over the value of art ultimately evolves into a profound interrogation of a friendship spanning over a decade, personal values, and even the very essence of human nature.

In 2001, the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center brought "Art" to the Chinese stage for the first time. The version, now showing at Jasmine Theater, is helmed by British director Paul Garrington.

Audiences can, through the laughter and arguments of these three men, re-examine the friendships they once thought unbreakable.

Performance info

Dates: April 2-12, 2pm/7:30pm

Tickets: 80-580 yuan

Venue: Jasmine Theater 茉莉花剧场

Address: 247 Beihai Rd 北海路247号