[Ad-gifted] God of Carnage is a play written in 2008 by French playwright, Yasmina Reza. Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. It is the story of two sets of parents who meet in the living room of one of their houses to iron out a playground scuffle between their 11-year-old sons. As the meeting goes on, the parents, despite their initial civility, manage to sort nothing out and descend into a near-brawl.
This play, translated from the French, won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy in 2006, has had success on Broadway and has since been performed by all manner of theatre groups across the UK and beyond. This performance at the Stoke Repertory Theatre was delivered by a cast of four of the Stoke Players.
What I thought of God of Carnage?
I actually heard God of Carnage on my car radio on Radio 4 about three years ago, and it was a memorable and funny play: I stayed in the car to listen to the end. Being mostly dialogue and not much in the way of action, it worked well as a radio play, but it was nice to actually see it on stage in the hands of four very competent and entertaining actors.
The stage itself was set up as a posh living room, complete with a pristine white sofa and chaise lounge, a chrome and glass coffee table, lots of ‘fresh’ flowers and of course, a selection of suitably highbrow art brochures laid out to impress the incoming guests. A circle of LED lights ran round the living room, subtly putting the spotlight right on the action.
The play centres around an earlier playground scuffle where apparently one child knocked out the teeth of the other in an argument over being in ‘a gang’. The victim’s parents exaggerated the injuries and pretended to be reasonable while the perpetrator’s parents tried simultaneously to soothe troubled waters and pick holes in the parenting of their opposition.
Each actor had taken their role and crafted it beautifully to their character. We have the lawyer, glued to his mobile phone – and amusingly trying to litigate a cover-up for a pharmaceutical firm whose drugs had been discovered to be unsafe. His enthusiastic wife was ‘in wealth management’, apparently managing him. On the other side, we have the intellectual writer, obsessed with conflict in Africa, and her down-to-earth husband who ran a hardware business. The juxtaposition of these parents’ social climbing, pretence and reality was enhanced by the production of a tart and a bottle of rum… I was delighted when they brought food and drink onto the stage as props – and wondered at the amount of tart that the actor playing the lawyer actually consumed! This wondrous dessert appeared to be not so great after the wealth manager started dramatically throwing up on stage, with realistic and violent effect. However, it did not stop the parents from breaking out the rum, after which all pretence at civility was thrown to the winds.
It was a good play, nicely brought to a conclusion by the lights snapping out… a bit like what you might do when you have really had enough of the kids arguing! Go and see it for the classy acting and nicely delivered cynical humour – you won’t be disappointed. (One word of caution: expect strong language.)
Cast/Creative Details
Annette Reille – Caroline Keen
Alain Reille – James Freeman
Veronique Vallon – Tracey Brough-Chesters
Michel Vallon – Leo Capernaros
Directed by David Bryan
How much do the tickets cost?
Tickets are priced from £11.50 to £14.50. Concession tickets available for students and children: £10.50
How do I book tickets to watch God of Carnage?
Tickets are now on sale and available from the Players Box or by calling 01782 209784 (Mon to Fri from 5pm to 9pm or Sat to Sun from 10am to 5pm) or via email boxoffice@stokerepplayers.co.uk.
How long is the show for and what are the timings?
The show will be running until Saturday, 10 February 2024. The shows will be at 7.30pm with a matinee show on Saturday at 2.30pm. There is no interval and show ended by 9pm. Do visit their website for more details.
Where is Stoke Repertory Theatre?
Leek Road
Stoke-On-Trent
ST4 2TR
Tel: (01782) 209897
email: stokerep@btconnect.com
About Stoke Repertory Players
Stoke-on-Trent Repertory Players are the in-house theatre company of the Stoke Rep Theatre producing a programme of five quality theatrical productions each season with an outstanding history of 100 Years as a leading force in the artistic culture of the area.
About Stoke Repertory Theatre
The idea to have a new, purpose-built theatre was created following the destruction of the Empire Theatre in Longton by fire on New Year’s Eve 1992 after plans to purchase this wonderful period property came to an abrupt end. Fund Raising had started by the Rep members in 1991 and the new build project received the help of the Arts Council, a National Lottery grant, the support of the City Council, funds raised by the membership and the generous sponsorship of numerous local companies and businesses.
On November 7th 1997, at a Gala Evening, The Players were proud to open a brand new 250 seat theatre in Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent. It was opened by the guest of honour, the Right Honourable Mark Fisher MP, Minister for The Arts.
The Rep is a Limited Company with charitable status. It is operated and staffed by volunteers and receives no annual funding or grants from National Arts bodies or the City Council. It continues to be the the home of amateur theatre company, The Stoke on Trent Repertory Players, 2021 marked the Centenary of this group of dedicated performers.
About Concord Theatricals
CONCORD THEATRICALS is the world’s most significant theatrical company, comprising the catalogues of R&H Theatricals, Samuel French, Tams-Witmark and The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection (US only), plus dozens of new signings each year. Our unparalleled roster includes the work of Irving Berlin, Agatha Christie, George & Ira Gershwin, Marvin Hamlisch, Lorraine Hansberry, Kander & Ebb, Ken Ludwig, Marlow & Moss, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Dominique Morisseau, Cole Porter, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Thornton Wilder and August Wilson. We are the only firm providing truly comprehensive services to the creators and producers of plays and musicals, including theatrical licensing, music publishing, script publishing, cast recording and first-class production.
Tips / Information
- Free parking available at the Theatre Car Park, but try to arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of the performance. Overspill Free Parking available at the front of Quantum House to the left of the Theatre or at the University (Mon to Fri) after 5 pm. There will be a £1 fee (card payment) charged for Sat shows at the ticket machine on the University Car Park on arrival or exit
- Coffee Bar/Theatre Bar – Opens 45 minutes prior to performance and may remain open for a limited time following the end of evening performances. Interval drinks may be pre-ordered at the Bar to avoid Interval queues. Alcoholic Drinks are NOT allowed in the Auditorium and must be consumed in the Bar Area. Only water in plastic bottles may be consumed in the Auditorium.
- Accessibility: They have designated car parking spaces and level ground-floor access to the foyer and auditorium where wheelchair access is available on Row B.
- Assistance Dogs are welcome and there is an Induction Loop provided for hearing impaired patrons.
You may also want to read this:
Review: Peter Quilter’s Glorious! at Stoke Repertory Theatre
Review: Hangmen by Martin McDonagh at Stoke Repertory Theatre
Review: When we are married by J.B.Priestley at Stoke Repertory Theatre
Photo Credit: Stoke Repertory Theatre
16 comments
This sounds like a great production by a wonderful theatre company. The stage and costumes look modern – love it!
So glad you do Mandy, thank you
I love stories like this where old grudges are the fuel for new conflict. This sounds like a great play.
Absolutely interesting production to watch
I stepped into the theater, the crimson curtains parting like a secret revealed. The stage whispered tales of unraveling civility, as the God of Carnage watched, amused by our fragile masks. In that dim-lit arena, laughter and chaos danced, leaving no one unscathed. 🎭🔥
Such a lovely encounter of words and so glad you enjoyed watching it
It sounds like a captivating experience filled with humor and clever dialogue. Can’t wait to plan a visit and catch the show!
Hope you do watch something at Stoke Rep, a lovely theatre
The production sounds really good and a very good night out. I’ve never heard of the play before but it looks like one I would enjoy!
I bet you would, they have a few more plays scheduled for the year as well
“God of Carnage” sounds like it translated seamlessly from radio to stage! The attention to detail in the set design adds an extra layer of immersion, enhancing the experience for the audience. Kudos to the talented actors for bringing this memorable and entertaining play to life!
Thank you for your kind words Sue
This sounds like a really great show. I love lively shows and I think the theatre is such a fun night out. I always enjoy reading about what you see!
It is a great night out, and always good to support the local theatre
The production sounds like it was so well done! I love the pics too! It really does sound like a great show to go out and see sometime!
Hope you do get around to seeing the show