This autumn, Black RAT Productions and Blackwood Miner’s Institute will present a coproduction of ART for their Tour of Wales 2019 supported by Arts Council Wales and Welsh Assembly Government; the first national tour of Wales of this award-winning comedy.
The production will star three of Wales’ finest comedy actors in the lead roles with Gareth John Bale as Serge, Keiron Self as Yvan, with actor and director Richard Tunley as Marc who is also directing the piece.
The comedy will tour to 17 venues across Wales from Tuesday October 1 until Saturday 9 November, opening with three nights at Blackwood Miners Institute from 1-3 October before embarking on a tour of Wales and concluding the tour at The Richard Burton Theatre at Royal Welsh College of .Music & Drama in Cardiff on 9 November.
Black RAT Productions will tour Wales with ART during autum, 2019.
ART by Yasmina Reza was originally written and performed in French and was translated to English by well-known British playwright Christopher Hampton. The new version originally opened in the West End in 1996 and earned an Olivier Award for Comedy the following year. It also gained the Tony award for Best Play in 1998, shortly after beginning a Broadway run. Over the years ART has entertained audiences with performances in the West End and on UK tours always with prominent actors in the three roles, gaining the reputation of a classic comedy piece.
At the heart of the story are three close friends Serge, Marc and Yvan and one painting! Their friendship is put to the test when Serge buys an expensive piece of art with which he hopes to impress his friends. Instead Marc thinks the artwork is a total waste of money and Yvan, with an impending wedding looming and not wanting to rock the boat refuses to give his opinion and take sides. The three involve the audience in their personal thoughts and as their ongoing discussion on what constitutes art and ultimately friendship ensues, comedy reigns to create a hilarious and clever piece of classic theatre.
ART’s Director and playing the role of Marc, Richard Tunley says “It is not easy to obtain the professional rights to this play but our reputation of touring excellent productions of established classics has enabled us to secure it. ART is one of the best recognised plays in recent years and has played in London’s West End and toured the country with a host of famous actors in its three roles. This is the first national tour of Wales and we delighted to be given the opportunity to bring this terrific show to theatres across Wales.”
The production is set is Paris and will be designed by Sean Crowley with lighting design by Robin Bainbridge. The production has an age guidance of 14+
Further information is available at http://www.blackratproductions.co.uk along with links to the venues Box Office’s to book tickets.
Black RAT Productions will tour Wales with ART during autum, 2019.
ART Tour Dates:
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1 – 3 October 7.30pm Blackwood Miners’ Institute blackwoodminersinstitute.com
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8 October 7.30pm Torch Theatre, Milford Haven torchtheatre.co.uk
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10 October 7.30pm The Coliseum, Aberdare rct-theatres.co.uk
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11 October 1.00pm The Coliseum, Aberdare rct-theatres.co.uk
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12 October 7.45pm The Hafren, Newtown thehafren.co.uk
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15 October 7.30pm Theatr Congress Cwmbran congresstheatre.co.uk
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16 October 7.30pm Pontardawe Arts Centre pontardaweartscentre.com
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17 October 7.30pm The Lyric, Carmarthen theatrausirgar.co.uk
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18 October 7.30pm Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan mwldan.co.uk
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21 October 7.30pm Stiwt Theatre, Wrexham stiwt.com
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23 October 7.30pm Neuadd Dwyfor, Pwllheli neuaddDwyfor.com
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24 October Theatr Colwyn, Colwyn Bay theatrcolwyn.co.uk
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28 October 7.30pm The Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl grandpavilion.co.uk
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29 October 7.30pm Aberystwyth Arts Centre aberystwythartscentre.co.uk
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1 November 7.30pm The Ffwrnes, Llanelli theatrausirgar.co.uk
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4 November 7.30pm Borough Theatre, Abergavenny boroughtheatreabergavenny.co.uk
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6 November 7.30pm Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon brycheiniog.co.uk
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7 – 9 November 7.45pm Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Cardiff rwcmd.ac.uk
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N.B. Schedule subject to change: Times/dates may vary and additional dates may be confirmed.