Three of Australia’s most acclaimed actors will share the stage in 2026 when Richard Roxburgh, Damon Herriman and Ryan Corr star in Yasmina Reza’s internationally celebrated play ART. The razor-sharp comedy, translated by Christopher Hampton, opens at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre on 22 April 2026 following performances in Sydney and Brisbane.
Winner of both the Tony Award for Best Play and the Olivier Award for Best Comedy, ART examines the fragility of friendship, ego and identity through the fallout of a seemingly trivial purchase: a friend’s costly piece of modern art. What begins as a lighthearted jab quickly escalates into a full-blown clash of values, humour and long-buried grievances.
The Australian season will be directed by Lee Lewis, known for Prima Facie, Gaslight and Mother Play. Creative contributions include set and costume design by Charles Davis, lighting by Paul Jackson, and sound design by David Letch for System Sound. The production is being staged by Rodney Rigby with Marriner Group, Paul Wheelton AM, and State Theatre Company South Australia.
Roxburgh described the project as “real electricity buzzing between us all” and said the chance to perform alongside long-time friends Herriman and Corr would be a “complete joy.” Herriman echoed the sentiment, calling the collaboration with two of Australia’s finest actors “an incredible play.” Corr emphasised the work’s emotional centre, saying ART is ultimately about “the way we see one another, and how those perceptions can fracture or transform over time.”
The 90-minute play is recognised for its biting wit, relatable humour and incisive commentary on human relationships.
A waitlist for tickets is now available at www.arttheplay.com.au
