Column: 'God of Carnage' delivers clever laughs, but some discomfort

Two 11-year-old boys get into a fight on the playground. One loses some teeth. The parents get together over coffee to discuss how the situation should be handled, because that’s the civilized way to do things, right?

But how deep below the surface does that civility really reach? "God of Carnage" by Yasmina Reza, now at the Sudbury Theatre Centre, answers that question with a slow descent into comedic chaos.

At first glance, the Novaks, parents of the victim, seem modernly rational and united in their superiority as the injured parties. The other parents, the Raleighs, are a bit defensive, but also divided, their relationship already under strain because of Alan Raleigh’s obsession with his law practice (more devoted to his cellphone than to his wife).

Yet first appearances don’t count for much — cordiality quickly gives way to sniping and insults, within the couples as well as between them. Generous portions of rum loosen tongues still further, until the players are changing allegiances more often than a model changes clothes.

The word “carnage” in the title is well chosen. I have to admire the craft of the playwright as she transforms superficial conversation into passive-aggressive sparring and finally outright verbal battle.

From successful businessmen to self-proclaimed Neanderthals, and from recipe-swapping moms to quarrelling cats, depicting the quirks of these characters as they’re gradually revealed requires a lot of skill on the part of the actors, director and playwright.

Yasmina Reza has won many awards, including for "God of Carnage," and the play itself has had great success on Broadway and around the world. This production’s direction by Rob Ceballos is subtle and sure. The experienced cast puts all of their talent to full use.

Yet, "God of Carnage" wasn’t totally satisfying for me. This isn’t a comedy in which the laughs come from the characters trading one-liners. There are enough surprises and bitingly clever jabs to provide some good belly laughs, but most of the humour arises from recognizing ourselves in these damaged characters and picturing ourselves in such grotesquely awkward situations.

If you do, you’ll laugh, but if you don’t, you might just feel like you’re uncomfortably witnessing something you shouldn’t.

Conflict-based reality TV shows like "Big Brother" and "Survivor" are like that, too — many people love them, many don’t. That said, it’s still hard to look away from a train wreck, and "God of Carnage" does hold your attention. The opening night audience gave the cast a standing ovation. How much you enjoy this production will depend a lot on you. And maybe that’s the nature of all art.

"God of Carnage" plays at the Sudbury Theatre Centre through April 6. Call the box office for tickets at 705-674-8381 x21 or go online to sudburytheatre.ca .

Scott Overton co-hosts the morning show on Rewind 103.9 and is the author of the thriller Dead Air. He writes theatre reviews for Northern Life.