DOWNTON Abbey star Elizabeth McGovern and Amanda Abbington from Sherlock join forces with Ralf Little and Nigel Lindsay in a production of Yasmina Reza’s ruthlessly comic study of middle-class parenting, God of Carnage, at the Theatre Royal, Bath.

Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play and the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, this hilarious farce by the author of Art, is one of the most successful plays ever in the history of the West End.

When eleven-year-old Ferdinand hits eleven-year-old Bruno with a stick in a playground punch-up and knocks out two of his teeth, the combatants’ enlightened parents decide to meet to talk things over civilly. But once the niceties are done with and the drink starts flowing, it is the parents who turn into spoiled brats.

In 2011, a film version called Carnage was released starring Jodie Foster, John C Reilly, Christoph Waltz and Kate Winslet. Ten years after its UK stage premiere, Lindsay Posner directs this new anniversary production, opening in Bath on Wednesday.

Tickets are £15 - £38.50 with concessions available. To book, call 01225 448844 or visit theatreroyal.org.uk.