T H E S C O T T I S H A R T S C O U N C I L ASSESSMENT REPORT. Type of Event (eg performance, work in progress, workshop): Performance Drama

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1 T H E S C O T T I S H A R T S C O U N C I L ASSESSMENT REPORT Organisation/Venue: Royal Lyceum Theatre Title of Event: Art Type of Event (eg performance, work in progress, workshop): Performance Drama Date of Visit: Artistic Assessment 1.1 Please evaluate the artistic quality of the event - its Vision and Imagination; Ability to Communicate; and Quality of Production. - Yasmina Reza s play is about art and also friendship. It s about 3 middle-class Parisian men, who have been good friends for years, although there has always been a sort of pecking order among them. Serge spends 200,000 francs on a white painting, comprising several white lines on a white background. Mark can hardly believe he has done this and ridicules his decision, Serge being infuriated by Mark s comments. Ivan is dragged into the argument, despite barely coping with his own traumatic pre-marital sufferings over the appropriateness of wording on wedding invitations. He frantically tries to support both friends, while struggling with his own emotions and his indecision over whether he himself likes the painting or not. - The audience are drawn into the dynamics of this friendship, which has been more like a family relationship. Mark has always been seen as the mentor, with Serge taking his lead, while Ivan has always deferred to them.

2 - The situation has completely changed with Serge making his own decision, which completely shakes Mark and the friendships are at risk of disintegrating. - By the end of the play, the audience as well as Mark and Ivan have come to admire the painting 1.2 You are also asked to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the event with specific reference to the following as relevant: * script - type of language used by characters reflected their personalities - clever and absorbing from the beginning * direction - well cast - switch between conversations, with the friends confronting each other, and use of spotlight to let audience see/hear how an individual really thinks and feels was inspired and highly amusing as it froze the rest of the action meanwhile * standard of performers - very good indeed - seemed to be chatting perfectly naturally with each other - movement natural; smooth, fluid interactions - Forbes Masson was terrific as neurotic Ivan, who tried to act as referee between his two best friends and Andy Gray was brilliant as down-to-earth Mark, who wasn t afraid to call a spade a spade * design

3 - scenes unfold successively at the Parisian flats of the 3 friends effective use of a swivelling wall panel to differentiate the flats - cleverly, varying shades of white in the attractive, stylish decor contradicted the argument that the white painting was not a beautiful piece of art in itself * technical standards - soft lighting of room reflected subtlety of colour tones and allowed spotlight to pick out and emphasise thought bubbles of individual speakers - good acoustics * appropriateness of production for the audience - well-received by an appreciative audience * approximate size of audience and reaction to the programme of work - well-filled auditorium for a matinee - chuckles in all the right places and sympathetic murmurs for poor Ivan, over his pre-marital problems 2. Management of Event/ 2.1 Please evaluate the way the event was presented/organised by the organisation and by the venue. Please answer, where relevant, with reference to the checklist below adding any other comments/observations you may have. 2.2 Suitability of the venue for the event: - good 2.3 Information/Interpretative material provided at the venue (eg programmes, displays) * range, quantity and clarity

4 - informative programme - good range of easily accessible flyers in foyer for future events, both in Lyceum and elsewhere 2.4 Publicity/Pre Publicity for the Event (leaflets, posters, etc): * range, content and when and where available - newspapers - on mailing list 2.5 Accessibility of the venue: * ease of payment - very easy Switch by phone tickets sent out * location - NCP nearby * direction - signposted in street * access for disabled people - fine * timing of event - good 2.6 Customer service: * quality and efficiency of staff (eg. box office, front of house, bar and/or catering) - friendly and helpful

5 3 Background to your visit: 3.1 Have you seen the work of this artist/company before? Yes 3.2 Is this your first visit to this venue? No