Sydney Theatre Company and Goldman Sachs JBWere by arrangement with David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers present
God of Carnage
Something nasty involving the Children and a stick has occurred in the playground. It’s time for the Grown-ups to intervene.
The evening starts very civilly. Michel and Veronique – the victim’s parents – are genial hosts. Alain and Annette – the perpetrator’s parents – are gracious guests. That is until the façade of gentility is swept away, sending accusations and recriminations hurtling like missiles between them.
They might be the Grown-ups, but are they mature enough? Do any of them have the moral oomph required to negotiate a just and diplomatic outcome? When the appearance of civility is gone, do they actually care about what is right?
Yasmina Reza, the author of Art and Life x 3, has hit the nail on the head again. In this explosive satire she dares the audience to look beyond individual conflicts to the source of our constant embattlement.
Reviews
"It’s an excellent and often hilarious production of a solid and well-made play" - Sun Herald
"... going straight for the jugular on themes of middle-class pretension, modern parenting, the savage beast beneath the civilised veneer and the failure of conflict resolution by negotiation. A bit like a French David Williamson." - Sunday Telegraph
"...the cast dance their way across Reza's moral minefield with aplomb." - Sydney Morning Herald
"Gale Edwards has drilled them like a platoon of elite soldiers so that the vital timing, comic business and nuances of character are clear, sharp and hilarious." - Stage Noise
