Concrete Playground

God of Carnage begins with two sets of parents sitting down in a modern Parisian apartment to discuss a fight that occurred between their children. What starts out as quite civilized, rapidly descends into a maelstrom of tears, name-calling and fist-fights. The play seems to have a bit of an identity crisis. It’s weighty sounding title and some of the subject matter suggests that it’s a serious examination into the violence and barbarism that lies beneath the thin veneer of civility. It’s not.

What it is, is a very well realised comedy of manners for yuppies, backed by an impressive ensemble cast including acclaimed actors Sascha Horler and Russel Dykstra, as well as E-Street heart-throb, Marcus Graham. All the performances are top notch but the standout is relative unknown Helen Thomson who steals the show as an uptight businesswoman. Over the course of the play she tears the apartment apart and releases the most gratuitous arc of fake theatre vomit you will ever see.

God of Carnage is a tightly executed, bawdy night out and an excellent excuse to see some great actors tearing up the scenery. Literally.