Wales leading company to bring a smile to your face is back on the road this autumn with a cracking show and three of our top comedy actors.
This autumn Black RAT Productions and Blackwood Miner’s Institute will present a co production 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.
Keiron Self as Yvan, Gareth John Bale as Serge with actor and director Richard Tunley as Marc
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.
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.
Three men; one painting; much disaster!
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 art work 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.
Black RAT Productions is now in its 12th year creating and touring dynamic and accessible theatre. In recent years Black RAT’s autumn tours have delighted audiences across Wales with successful productions of LOOT, One Man, Two Guvnors Bouncers, Up ’n’ Under, Neville’s Island, Boeing Boeing, Bedroom Farce and The 39 Steps.
ART’s Director and playing the role of Marc, Richard Tunley said, “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 www.blackratproductions.co.uk along with links to the venues Box Office’s to book tickets.
ART Tour Dates:
1 – 3 October 7.30pm
Blackwood Miners’ Institute
01495 227206
blackwoodminersinstitute.com
8 October 7.30pm
Torch Theatre, Milford Haven
01646 695267
torchtheatre.co.uk
10 October 7.30pm
11 October 1.00pm
The Coliseum, Aberdare
03000 040 444
rct-theatres.co.uk
12 October 7.45pm
The Hafren, Newtown
01686 614555
thehafren.co.uk
15 October 7.30pm
Theatr Congress Cwmbran
Congress Theatre, Cwmbran
01633 868239
congresstheatre.co.uk
16 October 7.30pm
Pontardawe Arts Centre
01792 863722
pontardaweartscentre.com
17 October 7.30pm
The Lyric, Carmarthen
0345 2263510
theatrausirgar.co.uk
18 October 7.30pm
Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan
01239 621200
mwldan.co.uk
21 October 7.30pm
Stiwt Theatre, Wrexham
01978 841300
stiwt.com
23 October 7.30pm
Neuadd Dwyfor, Pwllheli
01758 704088
neuaddDwyfor.com
24 October
Theatr Colwyn, Colwyn Bay
01492 556677
theatrcolwyn.co.uk
28 October 7.30pm
The Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl
01656 815995
grandpavilion.co.uk
29 October 7.30pm
Aberystwyth Arts Centre
01970 623232
aberystwythartscentre.co.uk
1 November 7.30pm
The Ffwrnes, Llanelli
0345 2263510
theatrausirgar.co.uk
4 November 7.30pm
Borough Theatre, Abergavenny
01873 850805
boroughtheatreabergavenny.co.uk
6 November 7.30pm
Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon
01874 611622
brycheiniog.co.uk
7 – 9 November 7.45pm
Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Cardiff
029 2039 1391
rwcmd.ac.uk
N.B. Schedule subject to change: Times/dates may vary and additional dates may be confirmed.