White on White
We began this year’s foundation “theater tour” with the play titled Art. The satire explored the conflict of three middle-aged friends in a spiral, as they could not agree on whether an empty canvas (that is, white with white stripes) purchased by one of them truly possessed artistic value. Additionally, questions arose such as whether art exists on the canvas or within the observer, whether every work has a message, and whether it is possible to speak objectively about creations. Parallel to these moralizing questions, we gained insight into the dynamics and inner workings of the group of friends, where the third friend was caught between two individuals with firm (and unwavering) opinions, often bearing the brunt of their quarreling. The play concluded in an unconventional way: the actors offered markers to the audience, and we too could draw on the empty (white with white stripes) canvases. As is most often the case, I returned home with much food for thought. Personally, I really like plays where I don’t necessarily get an answer to the central question but instead receive space and ideas for reflection as a viewer. I am glad that the Csiky Gergely Theatre of Kaposvár has not run out of these great plays or fantastic actors this year either.
Sarolta Kovács-Nagy, K2
The performance of actors Tamás Kalmár, Oszkár Nyári, and Csaba Fándly is a masterpiece—I was utterly fascinated by the latter’s character, portrayed with diverse and deep sensitivity. During the interactive finale, I enthusiastically “signed” the emotions stirring within me in the snow-white frame; I left with several days’ worth of thoughts to process and with the determination to read and get to know Virgil and the play’s author, Yasmina Reza—a French writer, actress, and playwright (who, notably, has Hungarian ancestry)—as soon as possible.
Angéla Sárközi, mentor
A great performance, a true satire, which simultaneously offers the experience of an exhibition and even an opportunity for creation. Brilliant, intensive, often tension-filled dialogues, a stunning monologue, real jabs, irony, sincere humor, and quips, all well-integrated and voiced between three men who have been friends for over twenty years. “Three completely different personalities, three different life situations, life stories, and one painting. A painting that is white with white stripes on a white background, yet this emptiness is capable of bringing to the surface every grievance, previously unspoken opinion, and unsettled conflict between the three friends. The debate over art and its interpretation is only the foundation that helps grasp and understand the content and changes in human relationships and friendship. It points out that the essence of a friendship is just as absurd, complex, and interpretable in a thousand ways—or perhaps completely uninterpretable—as a piece of contemporary art. Mention must also be made of the minimalist, clean, simple white set, the essence of which is to highlight the actors’ performance; yet every object has its role—they incidentally and absurdly come to life, turning from exhibition items into everyday tools, providing humor to the audience even in the most tense situations. We laughed, we were entertained, and meanwhile, we took with us the questions the play raised regarding friendships and relationships, involuntarily reflecting on what a friendship can endure, and most of all, why a friendship endures everything.”
Ildikó Árok-Vörös, parent