Festen

Description

Helge, the patriarch of a chain of restaurants, is celebrating his sixtieth birthday and everyone is coming home from the party including Helge's sons, Christian, Michael and his daughter Helene. Missing from the roster of invitees is Christian's twin sister, Linda, who recently committed suicide. The reason for her action and the repercussions from it, form the basis of the shocking and painful events that transpire during a twenty-four hour period. In the midst of dinner, Christian makes a startling accusation and, even as the disbelieving guests are choosing sides, the play slowly unwraps the truth. David Eldridge powerful new play is adapted from Thomas Vinterborg's screenplay of the very successful film, Dogme. Published to tie in with Almeida Theatre production in March 2004 directed by Rufus Norris

Full-length plays include M.A.D. (Bush Theatre 2004); Serving It Up (Bush Theatre, 1996); A Week Wit h Tony (Finborough Theatre, 1996); Summer Begins (RNT Studio & Donmar Warehouse, Four Corners Festiv al of New Writing, 1997); Falling (Hampstead Theatre, A Small Drop of Ink Festival of New Writing, 1 999), and Under the Blue Sky (Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, 2000), which in January 2001 was awarded the Time Out Live Award for Best New Play in the West End. His short plays include Cabbage for, Tea, Tea, Tea! (Exeter University, 1995), Fighting for Breath (Finborough Theatre, 1995), Dirty (Theatre Royal Stratford East, Young Voices, 1996) and Thanks Mum (Red Room & BAC, 1998). Televisio n and short film includes Killers (BBC Choice) and The Nugget Run (16th Foyle Film Festival). Radio includes Michael and Me and Stratford, Ilford, Romford and all Stations to Shenfield (BBC Radio 4).