Anglo Cypriot Theatre presents The God of Carnage, by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton

6, 7, 8 April
at Satiriko Theatre, Aglanzia

Anglo Cypriot Theatre (ACT) presents Yasmina Reza’s dark satire on modern manners and hypocrisy, The God of Carnage, translated by Christopher Hampton, directed by John Williamson, on 6, 7, 8 April at the Satiriko Theatre.

Two sets of parents meet to discuss, in a civilised and enlightened manner, a playground incident where the son of one pair has injured the other couple’s son. As their encounter becomes increasingly rancorous, the two couples mutual dislike and distrust degenerates into messy, acidic, blackly comic exchanges which expose the savagery and intolerance bubbling underneath their superficial respectability. The sharply observant and funny dialogue exposes contemporary issues brilliantly, including a cutthroat corporate lawyer’s constant mobile phone exchanges with his dodgy pharmaceutical company clients as they plot a media offensive complete with fake news and alternative facts.

Yasmina Reza’s play was written in 2005 in French, later translated to English by fellow playwright Christopher Hampton, then performed to great acclaim in London and New York (winning an Olivier award for best new play in London and a Tony Award, following its transfer to Broadway). Yasmina Reza then worked with Roman Polanski on the screenplay of the film Carnage, starring Kate Winslett and Jodie Foster, which premiered in 2011. In an interview given to The Observer newspaper in 2012, Reza said that her writing was about instincts, about what lay under the veneer of civilised behaviour. She said she prefers not to explain or deconstruct her characters’ backgrounds but, as their nerves break under the tension she creates, to let their instincts take over. She said she wanted the play to be seen as accessible – about ‘complex ideas but made accessible’ – but it also displays a dark sense of humour as the characters ‘suffer the worst night of their lives’ and the strains in their relationships become obvious for all to see.

The God of Carnage is directed by John Williamson, who has been involved in theatre since he was seven and whose past appearances on stage and screen include the leads in three West End plays and the gallant Captain Brooks from the BBC’s Tenko, who rescued the imprisoned women. He has previously directed Closer and The Importance of Being Earnest for ACT and has appeared in The Odd Couple and Wizard of Strovolos, among others. The God of Carnage stars David Dimitriou, Jill McDonald, Paul Stewart and Nadine Tsielepis.  

ACT President, Jane Bywaters, said, “This wonderful drama with its moments of laugh-out-loud black comedy will be an evening to remember. ACT’s strong production brings these complex characters to vivid life as they try to face up to a crisis which upends their normally settled lives.”

ACT (Anglo Cypriot Theatre) was founded in 1982 and has been entertaining audiences in Cyprus ever since. Each year the volunteer members put on a variety of productions from comedy to drama, Shakespeare to Christmas shows and also get together for social events. ACT receives no money from government sources but funds all its activities from membership fees and ticket sales. Every year, the group donates funds to local charities and runs a bursary scheme for performing arts students.

For further press information contact Jane Bywaters (Co-producer) 97804620.

Media Sponsor: The Cyprus Mail

Tickets:   Phone 99168638, email ticketsforact@gmail.com,                Cost:  €12

Website:  www.act.org.cy      Facebook: ACT – Anglo Cypriot Theatre (group) – send a friend request