Press Release
Copyright 2001 Neptune Theatre. Used with permission.
Two days into rehearsal for Neptune's production of the award-winning comedy, Art, by Yasmina Reza, director Ron Ulrich has made a cast change. Actor Ian D. Clarke who was playing Yvan has pulled out, for health reasons, and has been replaced with the talented Gordon Gammie.
Although, potentially a tough situation for a director to deal with so early in the rehearsal process, the cast change was smooth and rehearsals are continuing on schedule. Mr. Gammie joins Bill Carr, who was last seen at Neptune as the “Mayor”, in the hilarious comedy The Government Inspector and Nigel Bennett, who has just spent December at Neptune spreading a little humbug, in the title role of Scrooge.
Art has been performed around the world in over thirty languages, winning many awards on itís way to the Neptune Mainstage, including a Tony Award (New York), for Best Play and an Olivier Award, (London), for Best Comedy.
The comedy begins when “Serge” (Bennett), a doctor, has splashed out a small fortune on a new painting. “Serge” loves his newly acquired piece of ‘art’, however his friends of fifteen years, “Marc” (Carr) and “Yvan” (Gammie), are less than enthusiastic. The canvas is painted plain white and, as “Serge” explains, “If you squint you can make out a few diagonal lines” also in white. The painting unleashes betrayals and intimacies that have nothing to do with the canvas and everything to do with the complex palette of emotions shared among friends.
Gordon Gammie, most recently seen as “Ernst Ludwig” in Neptune’s breathtaking season opener Cabaret, also directed by Ulrich, joins an ever-growing list of impressive actors to perform in Art. Alan Alda, Victor Garber and Alfred Molina were in the first Broadway production in 1998. Mr. Gammie is scheduled to tour nationally with Two Planks and A Passion Theatre Company at the end of the run of Art.
Although his illness is not serious, Ian D. Clark thought it best to return to his family, at home in Toronto, to recuperate. Neptune Theatre wishes him a speedy recovery.
For Art, the Set and Properties designer is Art Penson, Lighting Design is by Scott Miller, Costume Design is by Denise Barrett and Stage Manager is Jane Butler.
Art opens on the Neptune Mainstage on January 26, 2001 and runs until Sunday February 18, 2001. Tickets are available through the Neptune Theatre Box Office by calling 429 7070, toll free 1-800-565-7345, or by visiting the box office at 1593 Argyle Street. Performance times are Tuesday through Friday at 8pm, Saturdays at 4.30 and 8.30 and Sundays at 7.30pm. The Pay What You Can performance is Sunday 28 January, at 7.30pm. (There is no evening performance on Sunday February 4th. Ticket prices start at $25 . Art is sponsored by Source Medical, Crothall Services Canada and Office Imaging.
This page last updated April 4, 2001
Poster Art copyright Neptune Theatre and photos copyright Kenneth Kam. Used with permission.
Due to legal reasons, these photos may not be downloaded.