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What happens when a friendship of 15 years nearly falls apart over a very expensive white painting? Quite a lot, as it turns out.
Yasmina Reza’s award-winning comedy ART arrives at the Baxter Flipside from Tuesday, 1 September to Saturday, 12 September 2026, bringing an acclaimed South African production to the stage in English for a limited season.
Directed and designed by celebrated theatre-maker Marthinus Basson, the production stars Wilhelm van der Walt, Wessel Pretorius and Ludwig Binge.
The production follows the success of its Afrikaans counterpart, KUNS, which debuted at the 2025 Klein Karoo National Arts Festival (KKNK). It went on to the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees, where it played to packed audiences.
Award-winning applause
KKNK described the show as a razor-sharp comedy about three long-time friends whose relationship is pushed to the limit by one man’s purchase of an expensive artwork.
And the accolades followed. KUNS earned nine Kanna Award nominations and won five, including Best Theatre Production, Best Debut Production, Best Ensemble, Best Literary Contribution and Best Actor for Wilhelm van der Walt.
It also won the Woordtrofee for Best Ensemble and picked up five kykNET Fiësta nominations.
Now, the English-language production brings Christopher Hampton’s lauded translation of Reza’s play to the Baxter.
But is it art?
At the centre of ART is Serge, who buys a costly painting consisting almost entirely of white lines on a white canvas. Marc is horrified. Yvan gets caught between them.
What starts as an argument about whether the painting is actually art quickly becomes something much bigger. Friendship, ego, taste, loyalty and identity all get dragged into the fight.
Marthinus is unequivocal about the play’s appeal. “ART, by Yasmina Reza, is as close to a perfect play as one can hope for,” he says.
He believes its enduring popularity stems from the opportunities it offers performers and its sharp examination of human relationships.
“The play’s refined, almost musical structure and crisp, witty dialogue belie a deep analysis of friendship, the limits of loyalty and the glue that binds three very different people.”
Critics also singled out the chemistry between the three actors during the production’s previous runs.
One Woordfees review described the show as fast-paced, sophisticated and highly entertaining, while another praised the trio’s natural rapport and sharp comic timing.
The Baxter has now confirmed ART as part of its September drama programme.
Funny, sophisticated and unexpectedly cutting, ART asks a deceptively simple question: how well do we really know our friends?
More info:
- ART will run at The Baxter from 1 - 12 September, 2026
- Performances take place at 7.30pm, with Saturday matinees at 3pm.
- Cost: R220; tickets are available through Webtickets and at Pick n Pay stores
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