Review: GOD OF CARNAGE, Tron Theatre, Glasgow

When two young boys are involved in a playground altercation, both sets of parents meet to decide a course of action. While initially everyone is very polite, pleasantries quickly disappear as alcohol is involved and the parents gradually become a little savage themselves..

While the play is well written, the execution owes so much to this tremendous cast. Colin McCredie, Anita Vettesse, Lorraine McIntosh and Richard Conlon are all the picture of civility to begin with but as the evening progresses their more natural instincts emerge. One of them remarks "how many parents standing up for their kids become infantile themselves?" which is exactly what happens as their meeting descends into chaos. Tensions in both marriages are revealed and everybody starts sniping at each other.

The set design is wonderful and so vital to the themes of the piece. The living room where the meeting takes place is completely neutral and tastefully designed. The initial contrast to the decor is an unexpected unleashing of bodily fluids, followed by an agonising clean up. Surrounding the set is a ball pit of brightly coloured plastic balls, which as the adults become more childish is utilised during their outbursts. The immaculate living room (which looks like no child has ever set foot in it let alone lives there) becomes littered with plastic balls as the parents completely abandon any kind of social convention.

God Of Carnage is a fantastic social commentary with outstanding performances from its four cast members. Hilarious at points and completely horrifying at others, God Of Carnage makes for an excellent evening of satire.

God of Carnage runs at the Tron Theatre until March 25th.