LaCageFans: FESTEN Review

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 3/25/06 at 4:18pm

FESTEN Review

Something is rotten in the state of the upper crust Danish family that has gathered in what is supposed to be a grand country house hotel to celebrate the 60th birthday of the clan’s wealthy patriarch. The occasion is supposed to run on familiar, well-rehearsed lines, instead it descends into nightmare when the eldest son departs from the script and accuses his father of sexual abuse. The birthday is not the only event where well-rehearsed lines descend into nightmare territory; “Festen” itself, now playing at the Music Box on Broadway, can certainly be accused of the same.

David Eldridge’s dramatization of Danish director Thomas Vinterberg’s 1998 film, which played in London’s West End a few years back has lost its power to shock and enthrall in its transfer to a Broadway stage. From the once gripping production with raw energy, now comes a mediocre evening in the theatre. Filled with impeccably crafted staging by Rufus Norris, he never quite seems to evoke the raw sense of emotion from any of his American actors in this version of “Festen.”

Paul Arditti’s eerie sound design establishes a sense of unease right from the outset. The noise of dripping water and a child’s nervous laughter is curiously unsettling. Where as British audience may have wanted to know more; American audiences will be calling for a clearer picture come intermission. When Michael Hayden’s edgy, yet predictable Christian drops his bombshell, we should comprehend that the sounds disturbingly echo the childhood bathtimes when he and his twin sister, the recently deceased Linda, were raped by their father. However, we don’t get that here! Is it because the actors don’t identify with the actions they are being forced to portray or is because the actions on stage are far from a typical reaction of a pure-bread American family? Either way, the end result doesn’t ever seem to work.

“Festen” is not unrelentingly grim like other creepy London transfers, “The Pillowman” comes to mind. But instead the grim casting of Ali Macgraw as the family matriarch is a diabolical casting choice that screams out for recasting. What should be ice chilling moments are nothing more than vivid line readings in the hands of this less than capable actress.

All the other actors have proved themselves capable of turning in masterful work. They just don’t here. The family in the play is determined to stick to the time-honoured rituals, including the singing of boisterous, boorish songs and the tapping of glasses to announce a speech. Director Rufus Norris seems to be stuck in those same rituals in relation to his actors. Instead of directing, he copies and we have nothing more here than a pale imitation.

Larry Brygman as the father encompasses the exterior of arrogant self-possession and Juliana Margulies gives the eccentric sister everything she can. But when the rest of the parts don’t equal the sum of its whole – the answer, and this play are just incorrect.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 3/25/06 at 4:32pm

Better put SPOILER somewhere above. You give away a great deal of this play, clearly.

[QMAN03]

Posted: 3/25/06 at 7:00pm

Oh god, I'm seeing this on Wednesday. I hope to god I disagree with you.

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 3/27/06 at 11:05pm

You'll have to let us know QMan...it didn't blow me away. I just don't think this production really holds much, if any value to be a Broadway play.

[QMAN03]

Posted: 3/27/06 at 11:37pm

Actually, when I walked by the theatre yesterday I happened to run into the producer and director. They told me to stop by after the show and tell them how it is, so I'm probably biased now.

Anyway, it seems you see alot of plays. Have you seen The Lieutenant of Inishmore yet?

[QMAN03]

Posted: 3/27/06 at 11:37pm

Actually, when I walked by the theatre yesterday I happened to run into the producer and director. They told me to stop by after the show and tell them how it is, so I'm probably biased now.

Anyway, it seems you see alot of plays. Have you seen The Lieutenant of Inishmore yet?

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 3/27/06 at 11:44pm

i have not...im waiting for the Bway transfer of Inishmore...but Im not a huge Martin McDonagh fan - so we'll see. Have you seen RABBIT HOLE yet? great play!

[QMAN03]

Posted: 3/27/06 at 11:49pm

Two more days because you so highly recommended it. I'm seeing the Wednesday evening performance.

Anyway, I absolutely loved Lieutenant. I haven't laughed that hard in a theatre since I don't know when. But I love McDonagh. Anyway, it's nothing like the Pillowman if thaqt's what you are worried about. I will be posting a review of it shorty.

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 3/27/06 at 11:52pm

I was mildly amused with a few of his earlier works, but Pillowman certainly didn't bode well with me. I am excited to see Inishmore and will go into it with an open mind. Hopefully I enjoy it more than I did FESTEN...which I don't think is that great of a play or production. But it's going to take a lot to top RH as a true American/Broadway play in my eyes - so bring it on Brits! :)

[QMAN03]

Posted: 3/27/06 at 11:59pm

HAHA. Well. technically, McDonagh is Irish. But whatever. I'll definently post back with a review of Rabbit Hole on Wednesday (as well as one for Festen, which I am seeing in the afternoon). Hopefully I like RH as much as you.