A masterful satire of modern manners
God of Carnage is a beautifully written comedy of bad manners that will make you laugh out loud and cringe in equal measure. The play, which features four superb characters that are brought to life by a stellar cast, raises important questions about human nature, morality, justice and society. How do we deal with conflict? How do we cope with stress? How do we relate to others? How do we define ourselves? Are we ever interested in anything but ourselves?
It is about two sets of parents who meet to discuss a playground fight between their sons. Despite their best attempts at remaining amicable, they become more and more like their unruly children. The dialogue is witty, fast-paced, and full of clever twists and turns.
God of Carnage was first performed in French in 2006, and Christopher Hampton’s translation was a smash hit in the West End and Broadway, winning amongst many awards the 2008 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. It was made in to a film in 2011, simply called Carnage, starring Kate Winslet, Jodie Foster, Christoph Waltz and John C. Reilly.
If you are looking for a smart, funny and provocative play that will keep you entertained and engaged from start to finish, look no further than God of Carnage. This is a play that you don’t want to miss. Book your tickets now and get ready for an unforgettable theatrical experience.
About Yasmina Reza
Yasmina Reza is a French playwright and novelist, based in Paris. Her plays, including Art, which has been revived in the West End several times, have been translated into more than 30 languages and are performed all over the world. She has won many awards, including the 1997 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy for Art, the 2009 Tony Award for Best Play for God of Carnage, and the 2010 Molière Award for Best Playwrighting for God of Carnage.
About Christopher Hampton
As well as translating many author’s works, Christopher Hampton is in his own right a prolific author for stage and screen. His musicals include collaborating on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard. His screen plays include Atonement and Dangerous Liaisons, which was based on his own stage play Les Liaisons Dangereuses. His work has garnered several awards, including two BAFTAs and an Oscar (Best Adapted Screenplay, for Atonement).
Cast (in order of appearance)
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Jennifer has always been a drama queen, but first appeared in a play with Stage Two in 2017’s A Servant of Two Masters, following a brief and unsuccessful foray into musicals! Jennifer can’t wait to get her teeth into this modern role after appearing in a couple of Georgian era productions! It will be her 6th production with Stage Two Downham.
Chris is celebrating his 10th year with Stage Two, having tread his first board with the society in 2013’s Ghost Train. Chris is excited to be co-directing and performing in a much more modern play which highlights the broadness of Stage Two’s range. He’s looking forward to acting in the round with a superb cast and to acting alongside his wife Kella for the first time in over 20 years!
Peter is thrilled to be debuting with Stage Two having spent 10 years at Clitheroe where he was twice nominated for best comedy performance, winning the award in 2022. Peter is excited to be joining good friends & to be involved in something a little darker than the normal farce comedy that he’s been used to!
Kella’s last play with Stage Two Downham was A Bunch of Amateurs in 2019 and she is excited to be back playing the wife to her real-life husband Chris Bowers. The pair last performed together on stage 22 years ago in J B Preistley’s When We Are Married, before they were actually married. So Kella has spent the last 20 years preparing for this role!
This is Richard & Chris’ second outing as co-directors of a play for Stage Two. Their first was The Admirable Crichton in 2018. Both of them are long standing members of the society with acting roles, Chris as Higgins in Pygmalion and Richard as Frank in Educating Rita. They are both looking forward to bringing this modern play to Downham, especially presenting it in the round, which suits the intimacy of God of Carnage perfectly.
Interval Refreshments
Following on from the success of the “prosecco lounge” at our production of Educating Rita, there will be a bar selling glasses of mulled wine (and equally nice non-alcoholic alternatives) during the interval or each performance.
Pre-Theatre Meal at The Assheton Arms
We are delighted that once again The Assheton Arms in Downham will be offering a pre-theatre meal exclusively for Stage Two Downham ticket holders.
They will provide a two course meal for just £20, and will also make sure your meal is complete in time for you to make short journey to Downham Village Hall. Once you have bought your theatre tickets, call The Assheton Arms on 01200 439699 to reserve your table.
This amateur production of “God of Carnage” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd. www.concordtheatricals.co.uk
What was said...
...by the audience
Actors were excellent. Thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Fantastic. Loved it. Great in the round.
Very privileged to be in the audience. Loved the in the round set up and spectacular performances from each of the cast.
Hilarious. Good to have a ‘modern’ play.
Amazing cast. Excellent choice of play - very relevant. Great in the round.
So talented and bloody funny - would highly recommend
Very different to anything Stage Two has done previously. Brilliant!
Terrific! And maybe a bit terrifying! Well worth travelling from Morecambe.
