Remember the absolute Canadian outrage when the National Gallery of Canada spent $1.8 million on a two-toned striped painting called Voice of Fire in 1989?
February 3, 2025
Brantford Expositor
By Susan Gamble
That’s the same kind of angst provoked by Simcoe Little Theatre’s second production of the season, titled simply Art.
“It kind of weaves off exactly that scenario,” director Courtney Deelen says about the three-man production.
“It’s kind of life imitating art and it all comes down to perspective and what we find quality and value in.”
The production revolves around three friends and the conversations and introspection that follows when one of them spends a crazy amount of money on a completely white painting.
“For one person, it’s a piece of status, or belonging to a certain circle and it doesn’t matter if other people get it,” said Deelen, “while others are saying ‘This isn’t you’.”
Written by Yasmina Reza in 1984 and the winner of a 1998 Best Play Tony award, Art is dubbed a razor-sharp comedy, but Deelen says it carries some “weight” as the three long-time friends explore whether they really know each other.
It follows Little Shop of Horrors in the theatre’s 2024-25 season and will be followed by Jessica’s Fine Adventure.
Art features Matt McGregor, Dave Deelen (Courtney Deelen’s father) and Randy McGivern.
The show will run from March 6-16 with both evening and matinee shows available.
Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.simcoelittletheatre.org or by calling the box office at 519-583-0505.
SLT is a non-profit community theatre on Talbot Street North in Simcoe that has been fostering the local performing arts for more than 70 years
