Art Extends Run with New Cast

French playwright Yasmina Reza s Art has extended its booking period once again. The satirical comedy, which opened at Wyndham's Theatre in October 1996, is now booking to October 1998. Art tells the story of three Parisian friends who fall foul of each other when one of them buys a work of modern art. Since opening, the show has pulled in nearly £7m in ticket sales and has won both the 1996 Evening Standard and 1997 Olivier Best Comedy awards. The production, now on its fourth cast, has also attracted a steady stream of top-rate actors including Albert Finney, Tom Courtenay and Ken Stott who opened the run. A fifth cast, as yet unannounced, is due to start in January.
Reza, director Matthew Warchus and translator Christopher Hampton will be reunited this spring when the Royal Shakespeare Company produces Reza's British premiere of L'Homme du Hasard or The Unexpected Man. The play, which will open at London's Barbican Pit Theatre in April, tells the story of middle-aged novelist Paul and his life-long fan Martha who meet on a train journey. Casting details have not yet been announced but the show is predicted to attract the same calibre of actor as its predecessor.

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