Art is a play by a Yasmina Reza - originally written in French but translated by Christopher Hampton for a English speaking audience.

The comedy, which raises questions about art and friendship, concerns three long-time friends, Serge, Marc, and Yvan. Serge, indulging his penchant for modern art, buys a large, expensive, completely white painting. Marc is horrified and their relationship suffers considerable strain as a result of their differing opinions about what constitutes "art". Yvan, caught in the middle of the conflict, tries to please both of them.

Alongside increasingly humorous exchanges, the play also looks at how the canvas becomes a device for their arguments to become less theoretical and more personal - and as they do so, they border on destroying their friendship.

First thing's first - this production is short and concise, bordering on an hour and a half of one-act brilliance. The set is simple, using a revolving wall to differentiate between three individual rooms and the lighting subtle, yet powerful. Art doesn't require flashy scenery and some sort of faux-school disco. It's genius is based in its simplicity, making the whole 'thing' about the dialogue between the actors - and what a trio of leads we have on this tour.

Nigel Havers, Dennis Lawson and Stephen Tompkinson take on the roles of Serge, Marc and Yvan respectively and are some of the most exquisite pieces of casting I've seen for a long time. 

Inherently funny, brilliantly dry and bouncing off each other like they're life-long friends (which they are!) the chemistry they have is phenomenal and the audience is hanging on their every word. Tompkinson in particular delivers a first class monologue mid way through which initiates its own round of applause for it's perfect delivery, narrowly beating Havers' quick witted reply. They really are a joy to watch.

Art runs at Birmingham Hippodrome until Saturday 26th May 2018. For more information, or to get your tickets, head to birminghamhippodrome.com.