Overview

There is only one thing I fear in life, my friend... One day the black will swallow the red.'

Under the watchful gaze of his young assistant and the threatening presence of a new generation of artists, Mark Rothko takes on his greatest challenge yet: to create a definitive work for an extraordinary setting.

A moving and compelling account of one of the greatest artists of the 20th century whose struggle to accept his growing riches and praise became his ultimate undoing.

Nominated for 7 Olivier Awards (2009) and winner of 6 Tony Awards (2010) including Best New Play.

Reviews

'A fresh, exciting portrait of a brilliant mind.' Ben Brantley, The New York Times

'Smart and scintillating. RED deftly conjures what most plays about artists don't: The exhilaration of the act.' John Lahr, The New Yorker

'An electrifying new play.' Marilyn Stasio, Variety

'Plays about painters are fraught with difficulty. Either the hero preaches about art without practising it, or the Bohemian lifestyle supersedes the work. But John Logan's play about Mark Rothko overcomes these obstacles with finesse... It's a measure of the play's success that it makes you want to rush out and renew acquaintance with Rothko's work.' Michael Billington, Guardian