Sheepdog Theatre
March 25 – 29, 2026

Art

Nakano Studio Actre

Story

In Yasmina Reza’s incisive play Art, friendship, taste, and pride collide in a darkly comic exploration of human relationships. The story begins when Serge, one of three lifelong friends, purchases an expensive, all-white painting, sparking a heated debate about art, value, and personal taste.

What seems like a trivial disagreement quickly escalates, exposing deep-seated insecurities, unspoken resentments, and the fragile nature of their bond. As the friends Serge, Marc, and Yvan navigate the conflict, questions of loyalty, authenticity, and social judgment emerge. Is the painting truly meaningless, or is it a symbol of Serge’s individuality? Can friendship survive when opinions clash and egos are bruised? Reza’s sharp dialogue and subtle humor reveal the complexities of human connection, showing how even the smallest provocations can challenge long-standing relationships.

With wit and psychological insight, Art examines the ways personal values, pride, and perception shape our interactions, ultimately asking whether friendship is defined by agreement or the ability to endure difference. Through laughter, tension, and reflection, the audience is drawn into a thought-provoking exploration of loyalty, identity, and the sometimes absurd lengths we go to defend our beliefs and our friends.

Access

Nakano Studio Actre
〒164-0001 Tokyo, Nakano City, Nakano, 2 Chome−11−2 Sun Nakano Mansion B1

Art

Written by Yasmina Reza Translated by Christopher Hampton Directed by Michael Walker Runtime 1 hour and 30 minutes (no intermission) Doors open 30 minutes before show start Performed in English with Japanese surtitles
Nakano Studio Actre
March 25 – 29, 2026

Upcoming Shows

November 28 – December 6
Much Ado About Nothing
One of Shakespeare’s greatest comedies, Much Ado brims with wit, romance, and deception. From the feisty banter of Beatrice and Benedick to the darker shadows of rumour and reputation, this is a play that feels very relevant today.
Read More
March 11 – 21
Lungs
Intimate, funny, and devastatingly honest, Lungs follows a couple as they wrestle with love, parenthood, and whether having a child in a world on fire is an act of hope or madness. Stripped back and immediate, this two-hander captures the raw edges of modern life with humour and urgency.
Read More

Past Shows

The Little Fellow

The Little Fellow is a biting comedy about England's most famous courtesan who's out for revenge.

Hamlet

Sheepdog takes on arguably Shakespeare's most challenging tragedy with Hamlet. a play about grief, madness, and the weight of avenging murder.

The Whale

The Whale follows a reclusive online English teacher suffering from obesity as he attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter before it’s too late.
Sheepdog Theatre
Sheepdog Theatre 2024 © All Rights Reserved.
Site by caco.media