Kids Benjamin and Henry got into a fight at school. Benjamin attacked Henry with a stick, injuring Henry’s teeth. Henry’s parents decide to invite Benjamin’s parents to their house to work thing out in a civilized manner. That was the idea, but…
That’s the premise of God of Carnage, a hilarious play where parents behave more like kids than adults. Michael Novak (Matthew Downs) and his wife Veronica Novak (Lisa LoCicero), Henry’s parents, invite Alan Raleigh (Jack Esformes) and his wife Annette Raleigh (Leilani Smith), Benjamin’s parents, to have a conversation about the incident with their kids and find a zone of possible agreement to clear things up. What seems to be a normal conversation with manners, turns into a train wreck, fueled by glasses (and bottles) of rum. Veronica and Michael insist in painting Henry as a victim of the savagery of Benjamin, only to be reminded by Annette and Alan that Benjamin might have acted in self-defense. The whole finger-pointing conversation was constantly interrupted by Alan’s tendency to answer his cell phone to tend to business.
As the conversation continues, the jobs and personalities of the four parents are revealed. Alan is the lawyer of a pharmaceutical company involved in a legal battle due to the dangerous side effects of its marketed medicine, which is the same medicine used by Michael’s mom. Michael sells hardware and was fed up with Henry’s hamster, so he released it into the street, with little possibilities to survive on its own. Veronica is a photographer and an art lover and her attitude has undertones of cultural appropriation and racism. Annette seems to be the most civilized of the four, until the effects of alcohol kick in. It turns out that rum brings the best and the worst of each of the characters, setting off recriminations in all directions, at times unveiling cracks in the relationships of both marriages, with tulips, cell phones, and pieces of art caught in the middle.
With God of Carnage, writer Yasmina Reza and director Peter Allas are able to achieve the three fundamental concepts of theatre: Conflict, emotion, and entertainment. The story is a string of situations that lead to hilarious and intense exchanges among the characters that make this play highly enjoyable. The stage direction is excellent. The actors make great use of the stage, adding dynamics to the story.
Lighting Designer Gavan Wyrick and Scenic Designer Tyler Scrivner have created a space with rich details, adding a warm ambiance to the story, perfect for a homely setting. The lighting is a subtle play of hues and intensities that bring up the comedic nature of the play and space.
God of Carnage is a masterful combination of writing, directing, and technical elements that make a delightful night of great theatre in Los Angeles.
God of Carnage
Written by Yasmina Reza, Translated by Christopher Hampton, Directed by Peter Allas, Produced by Racquel Lehrman, Theatre Planners, Presented by Foursome Productions
A Visiting Production at the
Odyssey Theatre
2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90025
Tickets: https://www.onstage411.com/newsite/show/play_info.asp?show_id=6184
