Stand out performances high­light Red, the first 2012 produc­tion from the Vancouver Play­house Theatre. Taken originally from the hit New York play, this local production resonates with commanding attention grabbing work from it’s two leads. Set in New York in 1958 this tour de force show explores the world of art in a unique way. And there’s a true blue Cana­dian element to this presentation as the tale revolves around the plans of The Seagram Company to help with the design of it’s new swanky Park Avenue Address. For­get about your standard touch-up jobs. No paint by numbers plan is in the works as Sam Bronfman has decided to commission an artist to design murals for the building’s showcase restaurant: The Four Seasons.

Where Red gets its drive is exploring the angst that the art­ist in question, one Mark Rothko, brings to the table. Actor Jim Mezon turns in a towering perfor­mance as the raging European immigrant whose tradition and history evokes all sorts of emo­tional issues that rise to the sur­face especially when a new assis­
tant arrives on the scene.

Young and idealistic describe the demeanour of Ken, a bright eyed artist in the making who somehow gets the job of becom­ing Rothko’s assistant. Hand­some David Coomber comes of age as this novice and Young Turk who wants and hopes to learn from the master but finds himself wallowing in a small space beset by a big ego.

How these two react to one another’s visions and insecurity in the name of art is superbly devel­oped. All interchanges between these two men of different ages and backgrounds will leave au­diences mesmerized for their 90 minute presentation set apart by different time frames without any intermission.

Paint is centre stage in this show along with discussions on other giants in the world of art. Clearly Rothko comes across as a very angry man with Ken the not so perfect sounding board for all his demons. Told in one set made up of four very large canvases, two powerful spotlights and two larger than life characters, Red is a case study of dreams and hopes cloud­ed by many doubts. Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous along with celebrity get royally skewered as one cantankerous relic from the old school lets loose with pent-up frustration that involves art as pure expression. On stage at theVancouver Playhouse until Feb. 4 Red features truly towering per­formances and is a story not to be missed. Written by ace Hol­lywood screenwriter John Logan and here directed with great soul and conviction by Kim Collier, Red is one show not be missed.

For more information on Red or tickets go to www.vancou­verplayhouse.com or call (604) 873-3311 for tickets.

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