'ART' FOR ART'S SAKE

So far, art has played a centerstage role in two Repertory Philippines productions helmed by New York-based, UK-trained Filipino director Victor Lirio.

- SCOTT GARCEAU

So far, art has played a centerstage role in two Repertory Philippines productions helmed by New York-based, UK-trained Filipino director Victor Lirio. With Harold Pinter's Betrayal last year, it was Pacita Abad's prominently displayed vertical mural "Paris in the Fall" that inspired Lirio's women-oriented retelling of Pinter's London-set play.

For REP's staging of Yasmina Reza's Art this June, it's a famously white painting by obscure artist Antrios with a 200,000 franc price-tag. Dermatologist Serge proudly shows off the monochromatic work hanging in his Paris apartment to Marc—much to his shock and outrage—who then coaxes their friend Yvan to see it himself and mock it. Thus escalating the dramatic fireworks between these longtime friends.

The Antrios is kind of a blank slate—a white abyss upon which the three characters project their own prejudices, insecurities and fragile world views. Marc, in particular, can't find an intuitive connection to the work the way Yvan and Serge can.

"The white painting in the actual play, the Antrios, was by a real-life early 19th century artist and it became incredibly controversial, which was why Yasmina wrote the play," says Lirio, who trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and earned his master's in directing at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School (BOVTS). "He was a Ukrainian artist, so I'm also delving into that world outside of the play itself, which gives Serge's POV more meat and substance."