A razor-sharp comedy about friendship, ego and the chaos a single opinion can cause, the internationally award-winning play ART by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton, returns to Australia in 2026.
Commencing performances at Roslyn Packer Theatre in Sydney from 10 February 2026 for a limited season, the production will then tour to Brisbane’s QPAC from 11 March, Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre from 24 April and Adelaide’s Her Majesty’s Theatre as part of State Theatre Company South Australia’s 2026 season from 20 May.
Directed by Lee Lewis (the original production of Prima Facie, Gaslight, Mother Play), in a rare opportunity to see three of Australia’s finest actors on stage together, Richard Roxburgh (Rake, The Correspondent, Elvis), Damon Herriman (Better Man, Mr Inbetween, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) and Ryan Corr (House of the Dragon, Holding the Man, Kangaroo) will star in this production.
“It takes a great play, an extraordinary director and three actors who are friends that finally get to work together onstage, to explore friendship, art, opinions and the ensuing chaos of having a ‘point of view’ – that’s Richard Roxburgh, Damon Herriman, Ryan Corr in ART by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton and directed by Lee Lewis,” said Producer Rodney Rigby.
ART will feature set and costume design by Charles Davis (The Importance of Being Ernest, La Traviata), lighting design by Paul Jackson (Rusalka, The Spare Room), sound design by David Letch for System Sound, and is produced by Rodney Rigby with Marriner Group, Paul Wheelton AM, and State Theatre Company South Australia.
When one friend buys a ridiculously expensive painting, the others don’t just question his taste – they question everything. Egos flare, old wounds resurface, and a decades-long friendship begins to fracture.
Winner of both the Tony Award for Best Play and the Olivier Award for Best Comedy, ART explores – with biting wit and pitch-perfect timing – how the smallest things, especially the unspoken ones, can spiral into something much bigger.
“There is nothing else that does what theatre can do. At this odd and fractious time on our little planet, what a beautiful thing to be in a room where there’s communal experience, shared hilarity, shared pain. The shared examination of our crazy lives. It’s happening in real time. It’s alive. There is no AI, no coding that can touch it,” said Richard Roxburgh.
“That’s real electricity buzzing between us all. That’s real sweat. There’s nothing else like it. It’s theatre! “Having the opportunity to do this incredibly funny modern classic with my actual friends, Damon and Ryan, under the clever eye of Lee Lewis, will be a complete joy,” said Roxburgh.
“I’ve known both Richard and Ryan for many years and am so excited to be working with two of Australia’s finest actors on such an incredible play,” said Damon Herriman.
“At its heart, ART is a play about friendship – about the way we see one another, and how those perceptions can fracture or transform over time. To explore that theme with Richard Roxburgh and Damon Herriman, under the direction of Lee Lewis whose work I’ve admired for many years, is a rare privilege. I’m incredibly excited to bring this play to life,” said Ryan Corr.
This 90-minute modern classic is brim full of intelligent laughs, standout performances, and sharp insight, and asks: can we truly see and still forgive the people we’ve known the longest? Because everyone’s a critic. Especially your friends.
“A very funny comedy of manners. It’s an impeccably tailored piece of work.” – New York Times (USA)
ART will commence performances at Roslyn Packer Theatre in Sydney from 10 February and will then tour to Brisbane’s QPAC from 11 March, Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre from 24 April and Adelaide’s Her Majesty’s Theatre from 20 May 2026. For more information, visit: www.arttheplay.com.au for details.
Image: Damon Herriman, Richard Roxburgh and Ryan Corr to star in ART – photo by Brett Boardman