Anatole Smith is one of the three actors in UFV Theatre’s first play of the 2019/20 season, ART. Smith plays the character of Serge, who buys a white-on-white painting for the hefty price of 200,000 francs — a purchase that threatens to destroy two life-long friendships.
Smith’s spark for theatre was reignited after highschool when a friend of his recommended he take a course with Raina Von Waldenburg. Smith acted in last year’s theatre production, Attempts on Her Life, in addition to this years production ART.
The show takes place not in a traditional theatre, but in the S’eliyemetaxwtexw Art Gallery, as the production is based around the theme of “art” and what really makes something “art.” Smith speculated as to why the show was held in the art gallery:
“It’s a show about art; art happens in an art gallery sometimes. I think [the director] wants to ask questions about what makes an art gallery an art gallery or a theatre a theatre,” Smith said.
ART was a smaller production with a tight-knit cast of just three actors; luckily they were all friends and managed to make the production of the show fun, unlike an arduous group project. Of course, it was sometimes a tiring process, especially late-night and early-morning practices and weekend rehearsals. Rehearsals for this 90-minute play began in the middle of September, running four times a week until the show premiered on Nov. 14.
According to Smith, it was a journey that they all supported each other through.
The show was put together by many different students who contributed as cast or in the design and production of the show, as part of various theatre courses. Smith did the show as part of THEA 399: Intermediate Practicum in Theatre, but one of his co-actors did the play for THEA 290: Acting Practicum.
The show revolves around the themes of “What is good art?” and “Who is capable of judging whether art is good or not?” The main piece of art which sparked the controversy in the play was abstract, while the other two characters displayed more traditional paintings on their mantles.
While researching for the show, Smith said he learned quite a bit about modern art, and the difference between a modern and classical art styles.
“The difference to me is that classical art tries to imitate reality and so the best that classical art could ever do is be really close to reality. Modern art says ‘No we don’t want to just imitate that; we can do better.’ … I don’t know if [the show] has really changed my view of it, but it has rather broadened my viewpoints on it,” said Smith.
When asked what advice Smith has for other theatre students or maybe those considering going into theatre, Smith said, “Have fun. It’s not something where you should say ‘I’m not a good actor’ or ‘I can’t do this.’ It’s about having fun and being alive.”
Catch Smith and his two co-actors in the production of ART, which is running on Nov. 20 and Nov. 21 at 5 p.m., and Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. in the S’eliyemetaxwtexw Gallery.
Image: UFV Flickr
Photo: Anatole Smith, Tommy Luu, Paul Hill
Andrea Sadowski is working towards her BA in Global Development Studies, with a minor in anthropology and Mennonite studies. When she's not sitting in front of her computer, Andrea enjoys climbing mountains, sleeping outside, cooking delicious plant-based food, talking to animals, and dismantling the patriarchy.
