Insult is a kind of Assault (CompanyOutcast)

God Of Carnage Written by Yasmina Reza Translated by Christopher Hampton Directed by Jay Padilla-Hayter

A review by Kate Barry

Entire contents are copyright © 2025 Kate Barry. All rights reserved.

Ferdinand hit Bruno. A schoolyard altercation between children where one has a stick and the other loses a couple of teeth. But when their parents meet to talk about the event, the gloves really come off. God of Carnage with CompanyOutcast explores class and relationships as two couples absurdly defend their children and themselves in a battle of words.

Jordan Aikin, Meg Caudill, Seth Hinkle and Timber Rosenberger step up to the challenge in this intimate comedy with some outright outrageous moments. This ensemble plays well together even when their characters do not. Tightly wound in the beginning, their manners loosen with the help of several bottles of rum and accusations. Was Ferdinand in the wrong? Did Bruno provoke him? Should they hug and make up? It would not matter. The cast throws insults at each other with finesse as they point fingers and blame avoiding any kind of civil discourse.

CompanyOutcast cleverly uses the What the Lou space to the advantage of the production. The fifty seat audience is very up close and personal to the performance. The cast remains on stage for the majority of the 90-minute production. The passive aggression and defensive attitude is felt in the best way possible. You feel every big confrontation as well the smaller moments, side comment and everything in between. With this kind of comedy, you cannot avoid the awkward feeling, nor should you try!

As Veronique and Michel, Aikin and Hinkle are would-be intellectuals who are interested in culture and craft. They might hold their children in high regard but they hold themselves higher. Aikin is wonderful as Veronique with poise and posh elocution that delivers. Hinkle’s Michel could be seen as lighter hearted performance until the rum reveals his true unhappiness. Hinkle shows range as he bluntly, if not drunkenly, reflects on the burdens of family life.

In the other corner of this emotional boxing match sits Annett and Alan. Meg Caudill offers yet another striking performance as the anxious Annette. She really sells the grotesque and embarrassment of the play’s notable vomiting scene. Timber Rosenberger’s Alan is a force with a cell phone attached to his hand. Equally uppity and self-righteous, Rosenberger and Caudill’s performances are worthy opponents to Aikin and Hinkle’s.

God of Carnage starts as a comedy manners and quickly dissolves into all out chaos. Purses are thrown and flower arrangements are destroyed, so is each of the character’s integrity. But then again, did they ever have it to begin with?

God of Carnage CompanyOutcast February 21, 23, 28 March 1, 2 What The Lou 101 Goss Ave Louisville, KY 40217 https://www.facebook.com/companyOutCast