North Frontenac Little Theatre: God Of Carnage

Nina Jenkins | Mar 14, 2013

A small group of theatre members are very busy these days learning lines and rehearsing for the spring show under the direction of Kelli Bell. The show chosen is God of Carnage by French playwright Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton. It has been performed in many countries around the world, and won The Laurence Olivier Award in 2009 for the London production and Best Play Award on Broadway the same year. It was the longest running play on Broadway in the 2000's with 24 previews and 452 regular performances with mostly positive reviews. As well, in 2011, it was made into a film entitled Carnage directed by Roman Polanski and starring Jodi Foster, John C. Reilly, Christopher Waltz and Kate Winslet.

The play takes place in Cobble Hill, a neighbourhood of Brooklyn. Two sets of parents meet after the child of one set is hurt by the child of the other parents. They plan to discuss the situation in a “civilized manner”. Alan Raleigh, father of Benjamin, is a lawyer, constantly pre-occupied by his work and never off his mobile phone. His wife, Annette, is involved in “wealth management” (perhaps mostly her husband's wealth). Michael Novak, Henry's father, is a self-made plumbing wholesaler and Veronica is writing a book about Darfur.

The evening begins with tense politeness and civil discussion as the four adults enjoy coffee and clafouti in the Novak's living room but as the evening progresses and Michael brings out a bottle of rum, the gloves come off and the situation degenerates into childishly bad behaviour. All four begin to behave like rude children and their underlying characters begin to show. The play is funny at times but at the same time very serious with some intense scenes. How will it all end? Will they resolve “the problem” between their sons?

WARNING : This play has coarse language and is not recommended for children.

God of Carnage will be performed at Sharbot Lake High School Auditorium on May 2, 3, 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will go on sale in early April. Watch for posters in area businesses and articles and ads in The Frontenac News.