THE title could as well have been nuclear physics or "modern novel". Yasmena Reza's thoughtful comedy simply uses visual art as the catalyst for an intellectual exploration of the nature of friendships, in this case within a triumvirate of Marc, an aeronautical engineer, Serge, a dermatologist, and Yvan, a stationery salesman. Serge has bought an expensive painting of white lines on a white background. Marc disapproves and Yvan prevaricates, Will their long-standing friendship collapse in personal recriminationas the result of an intellectual and aesthetic disagreement?

It is not a great drama: more a kind of Gallic lesser Ayckbourn - in content, if not in construct - translated by Christopher Hampton into serviceable English dialogue and monologue without quite losing its French linguistic origin. It is brief: 90 minutes without an interval. And it is undeniably entertaining: lots of laughter with a helping of challenge to the brain and just a soupcon of emotional involvement.

It is most elegantly set by Robert Ballagh in spare modular walls and windows which change colour depending on whose apartment the action progresses. Rupert Murray's lighting is both plush and clear, and Michael Mortell's costumes are perfectly in intellectual and emotional character. Under Robin Lefevre's excellent direction, it is adorned by three performances, each admirably individual and all, in keeping with old friendships going apparently to pieces, exquisitely in ensemble, especially in the silences. Alan Stanford is Marc, the mentor in art who sees his pupil" Serge slipping beyond his influence. Stephen Brennan is Serge who is suavely trying either to seek approval or assert his independence in his appreciation of art. Mark Lambert is Yvan who keeps limping emotionally between the two trying to preserve the fun of friendship even as be is sinking beneath the weight of the formalities of his impending wedding. Each is grand in his isolation from the other two. All are at their best in their excoriatingly personal attacks on each other and their wives, fiancees and families, never mind their aesthetic sensibilities. Well worth seeing and likely to prove extremely popular.