I wouldn't consider myself the most culturally interested person in the world. Nevertheless, over the last few years I have developed a certain passion for going to the theatre. From time to time when there is a play that sounds interesting or thrilling or whatever I buy tickets and ask one of my friends or family members to join me.
As I was looking through the plays of this season in October, I stumbled across a play called "Der Gott des Gemetzels" (in English: "God of Carnage"). If you keep asking yourself why you have the feeling of already knowing the title - in 2011 the film directed by Roman Polansky was released, starring Jodie Foster and John C. Reilly, Kate Winslet and Christoph Waltz.
I must admit that I hadn't seen the film when I looked through this season's programme but as I knew the content I was really excited about it. I absolutely wanted to know what the play would be like and so I bought three tickets - one for each, my cousin, my sister and me. The premiere of the play took place on a Thursday evening in the theatre of Graz and I have to tell you that it was simply excellent. For me it was one of the best plays I have ever seen.
In case you have never heard of neither the film, nor the play I want to tell you shortly about the content: The whole play takes place in the living room of a French couple. You think that's weird? Of course it is, but it makes the whole story even more interesting.
In case you have never heard of neither the film, nor the play I want to tell you shortly about the content: The whole play takes place in the living room of a French couple. You think that's weird? Of course it is, but it makes the whole story even more interesting.
There are two couples who want to sort out a struggle that had taken place between their two boys. One struck out at the other one with a stick and smashed two of his incisors.
At the beginning of the story the two couples sit in the living room in a "well mannered way". As a spectator you get the impression that both couples try to maintain their facade by trying to keep polite and friendly even though everyone feels extremely uncomfortable in this situation. The mother of the boy who injured the other one first tries to stick to her friendliness although the other woman insists on the fact that her poor little child was hurt intentionally. After a few minutes the whole situation starts to change direction and step by step you are able to see what the four adults truly think of each other and their facade slowly vanishes. The situation gets worse and worse and finally escalates: The two couples insult each other, the couples among themselves start to strongly argue and both, the two husbands and the two wives lose their temper. Everybody shouts at each other and loses control.
What really made the play extraordinary was the Performance of the four actors. I couldn't say which one played the best because all of them were simply brilliant.
The man with the bold, father of the injured son, first tried to act as a mediator and did everything to make the others feel comfortable, but in the course of the play you were able to observe how he lost his temper and showed his true personality. He became choleric and cruel man, who didn't show any regret or sympathy for any kind of creature. He further made clear that marriage is like a cage for him and that he and his wife have huge problems. She herself tried to maintain her composure for a very long time but finally suffered a nervous breakdown.
The play was brilliant and in the end I didn't know whether I should laugh or be upset or surprised. It was amazingly funny and thrilling at the same time.
I am convinced that of course all the people in the audience had much fun watching the play but at the same time I hope that it also made a lot of them think about their behaviour and their strong whish not to show any weakness. At least it had this effect on me. After the play I kept asking myself if it really is that way in reality. Don't we all try to maintain a special facade and try to give everyone around us the impression of us leading a "perfect" life? And if yes, what is the sense in doing so? Is there one?
The man with the bold, father of the injured son, first tried to act as a mediator and did everything to make the others feel comfortable, but in the course of the play you were able to observe how he lost his temper and showed his true personality. He became choleric and cruel man, who didn't show any regret or sympathy for any kind of creature. He further made clear that marriage is like a cage for him and that he and his wife have huge problems. She herself tried to maintain her composure for a very long time but finally suffered a nervous breakdown.
The play was brilliant and in the end I didn't know whether I should laugh or be upset or surprised. It was amazingly funny and thrilling at the same time.
I am convinced that of course all the people in the audience had much fun watching the play but at the same time I hope that it also made a lot of them think about their behaviour and their strong whish not to show any weakness. At least it had this effect on me. After the play I kept asking myself if it really is that way in reality. Don't we all try to maintain a special facade and try to give everyone around us the impression of us leading a "perfect" life? And if yes, what is the sense in doing so? Is there one?
