The multi-award winning FESTEN comes to the New Theatre from 13 March for a one week run, prior to a major Broadway transfer. This jet black comedy about dark family secrets caused a sensation when it opened in the prestigious Almeida Theatre in London in 2004. Nominated for 5 Olivier Awards, including Best New Play, it went on to a hugely successful West End transfer, winning 2 Evening Standard Awards for Best Direction and Best Design. Patriarch Helge Klingenfelt is celebrating his 60th birthday at a magnificent country mansion. Gathered together are his loyal wife Else, his daughter Helene and sons Christian and Michael. As the evening progresses, Christian feels compelled to break the silence surrounding a family secret. Standing to propose a toast, he offers his father an amusing yet simple choice… And so the games begin… amidst high etiquette and fine dining, explosive revelations and accusations tumble across the dinner table, paving the way for a celebration no-one will ever forget! FESTEN is adapted from the cult Danish film of the same name by auteurs Thomas Vinterberg, Mogens Rukov and Bo Hr. Hansen, renowned for cultivating the Dogme cinema movement. The breath-taking film went on to win the coveted Special Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. David Eldridge’s acclaimed English language stage adaptation remains faithful to the Dogme film by utilising the simplistic setting of a family dinner. This common-place scenario is turned on its head as the unfolding revelations build an electric atmosphere that crackles with tension and anxiety. A riveting fusion of gripping thriller and riotous humour of the darkest kind, FESTEN generated critical praise on an unprecedented level during its London run. Hailed as a work of genius, an incredibly high pedigree of talent is behind this mesmerising production, including: director Rufus Norris, who won the Critics Circle Award for FESTEN; dramatist David Eldridge whose award-winning work has been put on at The Royal Court and National Theatre and actor Christian Coulson whose work includes Charles II: The Power and The Passion, The Hours and Harry Potter. FESTEN is at the New Theatre, Cardiff from Monday 13 to Saturday 18 March. Tickets are on sale now, with prices from £7.50. There is an Audio Described Performance on Saturday 18 March at 2.30pm. Following the evening performance on Thursday 16 March there is a free talkback session with members of the show’s creative team. For further details about the show or to purchase tickets visit www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk or call the Box Office on (029) 2087 8889. FESTEN at the New Theatre, Cardiff Monday 13 to Saturday 18 March 2006 Evenings 7.30pm; Thursday & Saturday Matinees 2.30pm New Theatre Box Office (029) 2087 8889 Book online at www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk |
| New Theatre Cardiff web site: www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk |
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Monday, February 27, 2006 |
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