GOD OF CARNAGE to Open at Masque Theatre in Cape Town

After an absence of several years, the historic Claremont Dramatic Society (CDS – founded in 1952 as Sons of England) will return to the Masque Theatre in Muizenberg this October with Yasmina Reza's savagely funny God of Carnage. It is the society's first production since the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown that closed South Africa's stages, and it marks a long-awaited homecoming to the theatre where CDS has built its reputation. Performances will run 16–24 October 2026.

“Being back at the Masque, for me, is about breathing life back into CDS,” says director and CDS chair Bernie Jacobs. “In order to do that, I wanted a good, meaty play with layers, depth, complexity and texture, but I don't think in our current climate anyone is in the mood for anything heavy. God of Carnage strikes the perfect balance: serious intent softened with comedy, giving people a really meaningful but thoroughly enjoyable night at the theatre.”

God of Carnage, translated from the French by Christopher Hampton, begins with two sets of parents meeting to settle a playground scuffle between their sons. Coffee is served. Reasonable people speak reasonably. Within ninety minutes, reason has come apart at the seams and coffee is the last thing anyone is thinking about.

The play is one of the most decorated comedies of the century so far. It won the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy following its 2008 West End premiere (featuring Ralph Fiennes, Tamsin Greig, Janet McTeer and Ken Stott). Transferring to Broadway the following year with James Gandolfini, Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis and Marcia Gay Harden, it won three Tony Awards, including Best Play. Roman Polanski's 2011 film adaptation, Carnage, starred Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz and John C. Reilly.

That pedigree, and Reza's razor-sharp writing, has made the play a favourite with audiences and a notorious challenge for actors: four people, one living room, no interval, and nowhere to hide.

Directing is Bernie Jacobs, whose previous directorial credits for CDS include Equus and Playing with Fire. Her choices show her clear appetite for quality material that puts pressure on its performers and refuses to let an audience settle.