‘Festen’ is the latest play to be put on by the Sydney Theatre Company at the Drama Theatre of the Sydney Opera House.
The play is based on the Danish film of the same name, with the adaptation having been written by David Eldridge.
The scenario has a wealthy Danish businessman’s (Heige) family gather to celebrate his 60th birthday in style at one of his opulent hotels. On the surface everyone appears refined, educated and prosperous, that is until son Chistian announces that his father sexually interfered with him and his late sister.
Gale Edwards has directed this production with the stand-out performances by John Stanton as the Heige, the birthday boy, Angela Punch McGredgor as his wife Else, Tom Long as Christian, Jeremy Sims as his brother, Michael. The set was designed by Brian Thomson, with the stage lit by Mark Truebridge.
I found this a hard play to judge, and will effect people in different ways. I’m sure some people will find the play’s treatment of the subject matter lacking complexity. Others will find the play’s raw, confronting style hits the mark emotionally. It worked for me.