Miriam Craig finds out about Art, a comedy by French playwright Yasmina Reza that explores the absurdities of modern art and the dynamics of friendship

When Art opened at Wyndham's Theatre in the West End during the mid-Nineties, Yasmina Reza was relatively unknown in this country.

But the play, which originally starred Albert Finney, Tom Courtenay and Ken Stott, ran for seven years and went through more than 25 casts, making Reza theatreland gold.

At a time when her latest play, God of Carnage, has just opened in central London, starring Ralph Fiennes, Rumpus Theatre Company is reviving Art for small-scale theatres around the country.

Set in Paris, the play follows Serge, who has just paid 200,000 francs (nearly £25,000) for a modish painting that appears to be a plain white canvas - although he insists it has faint white lines on it. He proudly shows it off to his friend Marc, who thinks it was a waste of money.

Meanwhile, their friend Yvan is stuck in the middle of the row, and has his own problems to deal with - he is about to get married and the two sets of in-laws are not talking to one another.

Rumpus director John Goodrum, who plays Marc in the production, says: "Marc can't quite understand why Serge has bought the painting, because he's more of a traditionalist when it comes to art.

"To some extent, he was Serge's guide in introducing him to the art world and educating him about art. But by buying this painting, Serge is breaking away from Marc's control of him.

"What starts as a gentle evening turns into a massive argument. The play develops into a wonderful exploration of friendship, especially male friendship, and the question of what's actually important. It's absolutely fascinating."

For Mr Goodrum, 49, the beauty of the play is the carefully balanced way it addresses the worth or otherwise of modern art. He says: "I don't think Reza is saying modern art is rubbish. I think she's saying everybody has their own opinion about it.

"Often you see a play where it's obvious the author is taking one side. With this, Reza is remarkably absent from it. All the characters are equally argued, you can side with them all, which I think is the play's greatest strength. She's seeing what happens when people who have different opinions come together.

"You talk to people about a play about a white painting and they think Hmm, I'm not sure about that.' But it's a really funny play. I wouldn't want to give away what happens, but it does end with a bit of a coup de théâtre."

Art is on at The Radlett Centre, in Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, on Thursday, at 8pm. Tickets cost £12 (concessions £10) and are available from the box office on 01923 859291.