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28 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday September 10, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Artscene Oakville Beaver · WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 Sign up now for guitar, bass, drums, and piano OAKVILLE'S MUSIC STORE Friendships, definition of art in the spotlight W.E.S.T. presents popular play Art By Stephanie Taylor SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER West End Studio Theatre (W.E.S.T.) is hoping their latest production is a masterpiece, as it presents Art. The play, written by Yasmina Reza, is directed by Pamela Keyes. It comes to the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts on Sept. 11 and continues until Sept. 20. The story follows the lives of three very different characters, all of whom are good friends. When Serge (Yo Mustafa) decides to buy an expensive painting, his friend Marc (Vince Carlin) isn't impressed and expresses his thoughts, much to Serge's dismay. Yvan (Chris Reid) also gets caught up in the drama despite trying to remain neutral, and the tongue lashings begin. Keyes, who has been involved in theatre since a mere 12-year-old, said the play will be entertaining due to the hilarious, comical bantering between the three esteemed actors. It also allows the audience to go deeper and take note of the underpinnings in the friendships, she said. The play got underway in June, starting with rehearsals three times a week. The summertime provided an erratic schedule, Keyes noted, with the cast and crew taking some days off in July and August. "It's been off and on, for the last twoand-a-half months," she said. Yo Mustafa, who not only acts, but is also the artistic director of W.E.S.T., chose to do the play Art because of his strong love for the story. Art is originally a French-language play that was first produced in the early 1990s. After being successful in France, it was brought over to England and quickly made its way to Broadway. In 1998, it won a Tony Award for best original play, and that same year it also won the Olivier award for best comedy. "It comes with a lot of credentials," said Keyes. "And being translated by the Brits, it is, of course, witty." The most rewarding aspect of directing for Keyes has been working with the three actors. "It has been such a joy to direct them," she said. "You can direct people who don't have a lot to give you in terms of skills, technique, depth, understanding of text -- these guys get it all. They are great." She also expressed a deep fondness and gratitude to all the people who work at W.E.S.T. "They are all so willing and make it a lot of fun," she explained. It takes around 13 people to see Art RON KUZYK / OAKVILLE BEAVER MASTERPIECE THEATRE: Vince Carlin, left, Yo Mustafa, centre, and Chris Reid examine the meaning of art and the boundaries of friendship in West End Studio Theatre's production of Art. come to life, from costume designers to stage lighting operators. Keyes explains that the difficult component in directing is trying to convince the audience that on the one set, the characters are moving between three different apartments. She also notes that the play is double-sided. "The treatment in this show is a little bit funny, but the subject matter is rather profound," she said. "So, getting that dichotomy going on in the play has been the most interesting aspect of directing it, and working with three really accomplished actors has meant you can get a lot from them. They need to go deep; they need to have a lot of tension and undercurrents going on in this play." She said that on one hand, the play is about relationships and the functionality of friendships. "It brings up serious questions about how we are in our relationships with friends," she said. "How much do we say to them? How far are we are going to go? How honest are we "Little things that might be said could escalate into something greater, and that's exactly what happens here." Pamela Keyes Director of W.E.S.T's production of Art going to be? Those kinds of questions apply to everyone. It can destroy a friendship if you're too honest. Little things that might be said could escalate into something greater, and that's essentially what happens here." The play also brings up the age-old question of, `What is art?' Is it objective or subjective? The most important element for Keyes is that the audience is entertained. "I hope they have a good time," she said. "Right now, we have a situation where people are inundated with media, they're desensitized a little bit and it's a tough thing (for people) to put down the remote and come out and see a play. This is not passive; this is active participation as an audience member." She added that training in theatre gives people of all ages a sense of confidence, encourages creativity and empathy and builds social awareness and awareness about their own physicality. "It teaches (you) how to listen well, to give and take in a conversation and situations," she said. "These are things that you do in life as well, and the better you do them, the better you manage your relationships. These things are explored (in Art), that you'll take away with you and question about your own relationships...I hope." Art runs Sept. 11 to 13 and Sept. 17 to 20 at 8 p.m. at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts. Tickets cost $27. There is no intermission during the play, and some scenes contain strong language that may not be suitable for younger audiences. For tickets, call the box office at 905815-2021.