Comedy created from playground carnage

The first play of the new year produced by Robin Hood Theatre Company is Yasmina Reza’s comedy-drama The God Of Carnage.

It is being staged at the Robin Hood Theatre, Averham, until Saturday (January 27), at 7.30pm.

It follows the success of A Christmas Carol, which, last month, sold-out its run.

The God Of Carnage centres around an evening in the lives of two couples — residents of a London neighbourhood — who meet to discuss a playground incident.

Alan and Annette’s son has hit Michael and Veronica’s son in the face with a stick, resulting in two broken teeth.

The four of them agree to discuss the incident civilly, but, as the night wears on and alcohol is drank, the polite veneer breaks down.

The couples initially spar against each other, but soon the men gang up on the women and the spouses switch sides as the fighting continues.

Reza’s play suggests that perhaps our civilized trappings merely hide our true selves.

The play was a great success in its original language, French, and has been equally acclaimed when translated into English for Broadway and West End productions, where it was described as “a funny tragedy, very funny.”

Christopher Hampton’s translation was first presented in a UK premiere in 2008 with Ralph Fiennes, Tasmin Greig, Janet McTeer and Ken Stott.

It received the award for best play of the year.

It was also the winner of the 2009 Tony Award for best play.

In 2012, Roman Polanski’s film, Carnage, starring Kate Winslet and Jodie Foster, was described as a joyously unpleasant film.

Tickets for Robin Hood Theatre Company’s version of The God Of Carnage cost £12.

They are available from the box office on 07733 179986 or from the website www.rhtc.co.uk

The bar and lounge are open from 6.45pm ahead of the performances.