Written by Laura for Theatre & Tonic

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review

Un Déu salvatge is based on Yasmina Reza’s Le Dieu du carnage. This play has been translated into English and Spanish and has premiered in the West End, Broadway, Madrid and Chile. It has also been adapted into a movie, Carnage, directed by Roman Polanski. This is not its first Catalan production either, as it had already premiered in 2010 at the same theatre where it’s playing now, Teatre Goya, although both versions use different translations.

The play introduces two married couples who meet to discuss, in a civilized manner, the fact that one of their kids hit the other and broke two of his teeth. What starts as a conversation quickly descends into pure chaos as society’s flaws make themselves known through the characters’ actions.

I have to admit that I went into this completely blind; I wasn’t even aware this was a comedy, so I was intrigued by the elegant yet bare living room we’re presented with. A room that, like its characters, looks very refined at the beginning but ends up completely trashed by the end of the show.

The first two minutes completely set the tone, and I soon understood what kind of play it would be. I found myself laughing at the awkwardness between the characters and the subtle taunts they threw at each other.

All four actors, Pere Arquillué, Laura Conejero, Ivan Benet and Laura Aubert, did a wonderful job and worked really well together. For me, however, Pere Arquillué completely stole the show. His scathing comebacks and facial expressions had me laughing constantly. Arquillué also directs this production with elegance and a great sense of humour, while holding up a mirror to the audience and pointing out our society’s flaws.

The show generally has a great pace that loses a bit of momentum by the end. Still, it is very enjoyable throughout.

Un Déu Salvatge will be playing at Teatre Goya, Barcelona, until April 24th.

★★★★

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