Festen
Gamm Theatre’s remarkable production of "Festen," the haunting family drama written by David Eldridge, adapted from a screenplay by Thomas Vinterberg, Mogens Rukov and Bo Hr. Hansen, features a compelling story, superb direction and an amazing assortment of stellar performances from its cast.
Based on the 1998 Danish film, "The Celebration," "Festen" takes place in the home of Helge (Will Lyman) and Else (Sandra Laub), an affluent couple whose three children have returned home in honor of their father’s 60th birthday.
Tempestuous son Michael (Alexander Platt) arrives uninvited with his wife, Mette (Karen Carpenter), and young daughter (Emeline Herreid) in tow. Michael’s presence infuriates his sister, Helene (Casey Seymour Kim), whose fragile emotional state is seemingly kept at bay with the help of pills.
All the while, eldest sibling Christian (Steve Kidd) stands idly by, preoccupied with memories of his twin sister, Linda, who recently committed suicide. Soon thereafter, everything appears to be fine when everyone is gathered at the dinner table, until Christian raises his glass to make the evening’s first toast and reveals a shocking secret.
Without revealing anything further, let it suffice to say Christian’s announcement brings the celebration to a grinding halt, as each individual decides how to respond to what he said and whether or not to believe him. Those present react either angrily, dismissively or, perhaps most disturbing, indifferently. Despite some very heated exchanges, the tension on stage is represented best during periods of prolonged, uncomfortable silence.
Gamm Artistic Director Tony Estrella masterfully directs this riveting production, in which the movement on stage (or lack thereof) and the actors’ body language speaks to the audience as much as the script’s dialogue. The cast members, representing an array of distinctive personalities, complement each other beautifully and effectively.
In his Gamm debut, Lyman is flawless as Helge, the family’s patriarch whose disposition remains eerily unfettered, despite the tumultuous course of events transpiring right before him. Kidd’s powerful portrayal of Christian conveys both serenity and ferocity -- exemplary of someone wrongfully weighed down by guilt and shame.
Platt’s terrific performance of hothead Michael is amusingly raw and unsettling, and Kim plays the unraveled Helene with intensity and grace. Other performances worthy of mention include Amos Hamrick as Gbatokai, Helene’s undeterred companion, Kerry Callery as Poul, the family’s resident oaf, and Herreid as the little girl responsible for enacting the production’s most unforgettable moment.
"Festen" is a fierce family drama that will leave the audience shocked, unnerved and above all, intrigued.
"Festen" continues through February 12th at The Gamm Theatre, 172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket, RI. For more information, visit The Gamm Theatre’s website.
