Post by ccgirlfan on May 3, 2006 9:03:26 GMT -5
Dark secrets served up at family party
Mar 31 2006
Gill Isted, Chester Chronicle
A PLAY which was nominated for five Olivier Awards, including Best New Play, is heading for North Wales.
David Eldridge's darkly comic and explosive stage adaptation of Festen is based on the award winning film by Thomas Vinterberg.
This successful production is being brought to Clwyd Theatr Cymru in Mold next week by the highly acclaimed Almeida Theatre at the same time an all-American version opens on Broadway.
The action is set at a party to celebrate patriarch Helge Kingenfelt's 60th birthday.
He and his large family gather at a magnificent old house in the Danish countryside. Among those present are his loyal wife Else, his daughter Helene, and his sons Christian and Michael.
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As the evening progresses, Christian feels compelled to break the silence surrounding a dark family secret. The effect is explosive and sets the store for an evening no one will forget.
Knutsford-born actor Christian Coulson, who portrays his namesake in the play, said: 'It's a kind of black comedy. Really dark. How funny it is depends on how we play it. We're in Windsor this week and people are loving it and laughing a lot, but it's not the same everywhere.
'It deals with some very serious issues but funny things happen along the way. It is a comedy of sorts but people go away quite moved about it, it certainly makes them think about what they have just seen.
'We've played in a variety of theatres, some huge ones, but I think Festen works better in the smaller, more intimate venues.'
Talking about the new Broadway production, Christopher says: 'It's got an all-American cast, which I think is good, because a lot of people who see it think it's about an English family gathering. It will be interesting to have an American version of it.
'As for myself, I love being on stage, I love rehearsing, I like working with the same actors for a long time. I think you learn more about what you're doing by being on the stage.
'There are 14 of us in the cast and a lot of us are on stage for a lot of the time so there is a lot to watch. The set is beautiful but very simple - the focal point is a huge table .
'I haven't seen the film, though I do have a copy of it. Most of the cast have seen it but at the time I wanted to watch it I was still trying to solve some problems about my part and I didn't think it would help in that respect.
'It's very much a company piece but Christian provides the catalyst for the drama - I'm the one who starts throwing my toys around!
'I'm not going to say any more about it because I think the less people know, the better and the more they will enjoy it.' uFesten can be seen in the Anthony Hopkins Theatre at Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, from Monday, April 3 to Saturday, April 8. Ring the box office on 0845 330 3565 for details.
iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk/entertainment/theatre/tm_objectid=16887032%26method=full%26siteid=50020-name_page.html
Mar 31 2006
Gill Isted, Chester Chronicle
A PLAY which was nominated for five Olivier Awards, including Best New Play, is heading for North Wales.
David Eldridge's darkly comic and explosive stage adaptation of Festen is based on the award winning film by Thomas Vinterberg.
This successful production is being brought to Clwyd Theatr Cymru in Mold next week by the highly acclaimed Almeida Theatre at the same time an all-American version opens on Broadway.
The action is set at a party to celebrate patriarch Helge Kingenfelt's 60th birthday.
He and his large family gather at a magnificent old house in the Danish countryside. Among those present are his loyal wife Else, his daughter Helene, and his sons Christian and Michael.
Story continues Continue story
ADVERTISEMENT
As the evening progresses, Christian feels compelled to break the silence surrounding a dark family secret. The effect is explosive and sets the store for an evening no one will forget.
Knutsford-born actor Christian Coulson, who portrays his namesake in the play, said: 'It's a kind of black comedy. Really dark. How funny it is depends on how we play it. We're in Windsor this week and people are loving it and laughing a lot, but it's not the same everywhere.
'It deals with some very serious issues but funny things happen along the way. It is a comedy of sorts but people go away quite moved about it, it certainly makes them think about what they have just seen.
'We've played in a variety of theatres, some huge ones, but I think Festen works better in the smaller, more intimate venues.'
Talking about the new Broadway production, Christopher says: 'It's got an all-American cast, which I think is good, because a lot of people who see it think it's about an English family gathering. It will be interesting to have an American version of it.
'As for myself, I love being on stage, I love rehearsing, I like working with the same actors for a long time. I think you learn more about what you're doing by being on the stage.
'There are 14 of us in the cast and a lot of us are on stage for a lot of the time so there is a lot to watch. The set is beautiful but very simple - the focal point is a huge table .
'I haven't seen the film, though I do have a copy of it. Most of the cast have seen it but at the time I wanted to watch it I was still trying to solve some problems about my part and I didn't think it would help in that respect.
'It's very much a company piece but Christian provides the catalyst for the drama - I'm the one who starts throwing my toys around!
'I'm not going to say any more about it because I think the less people know, the better and the more they will enjoy it.' uFesten can be seen in the Anthony Hopkins Theatre at Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, from Monday, April 3 to Saturday, April 8. Ring the box office on 0845 330 3565 for details.
iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk/entertainment/theatre/tm_objectid=16887032%26method=full%26siteid=50020-name_page.html
