We probably all know how thin the veneer of civility is, but when you put two sets of parents together to work out what to do about a child’s wayward behaviour, the gloves really come off.
In Yasmina Rema’s award-winning ‘God of Carnage’ – which has been a commercial triumph in both the West End and Broadway, this is really tested to the limits.
If you’ve ever watched ‘White Lotus’ (or a programme of such ilk), you’ll understand the concept: all characters are awful, and you hate everyone. However, the point of enduring such unpleasant characters, is that they can be toyed with and held up to satire and mocking for their views and ways of being.
The story is this: 11-year-old Ferdinand has knocked out 11-year-old Bruno’s two front teeth in a fight at a posh school in France. The two sets of parents meet to discuss the situation and find a resolution. It all starts off politely enough, but after a few barbed words, a couple of snipes and then a bottle of rum, it all spirals – quite expectedly – to ferality. Quite literally, with Michel (Christopher Jordan) ripping off his t-shirt and proclaiming his pride at being a neanderthal man.
What the play exposes is the individualism of people. Where before each parent acted as a ‘team unit’, the situation fractures to such a degree, so that each person is pitted against each other in a mudslinging match. It is an unpicking of cultural mores, of moral compasses and societal norms and expectations about the best way to do things. Although, in reality: it is a race to the bottom of humanity.
‘God of Carnage’ is billed as dark humour and the audience did revel in glee at the descent of the characters increasingly ripping shreds off each other. But for me, I found it a more awkward watch which didn’t really tickle my funny bone. I can appreciate the point the play is making and why the set up is as it is, but this isn’t my style of humour. That being said, many loved it, and many laughed – properly – out loud.
Given the number of awards this play has won and the critical acclaim it has received over the years, plus the big-name stars who have appeared in previous versions (including Ralph Fiennes and James Gandolfini), Frinton Summer Theatre has done well in obtaining the rights to showcase this production.
God of Carnage runs until 2nd August at the McGrigor Hall with tickets available at https://fst-odes.co.uk/products/
Reviewer: Samantha Collett
Reviewed: 29th July 2025
North West End UK Rating: