Saw FESTEN.....What the heck?!

[sciguy]

Posted: 3/27/06 at 1:33pm

I saw the Sunday matinee of Festen. I am still trying to analyze what the heck it is. I think I was entertained. We certainly spent most of our dinner disecting the experience.I am always intimidated by other peoples incredibly detailed reviews. this will not be one of them.
Here was our general consensus:
Festen is ODD.
The staging is sometimes difficult to follow. At one point three different bedroom scenes are taking place in the same bedroom simultaneously. Other bits of staging are sheer brilliance. After the big secret is announced the cast reassembles at the table and there is utter silence with the only exception being the clanking of silverware and glasses. The few minutes seemed like hours and I kept praying someone would start speaking.
The play itself is OK. A bit melodramatic at times.
The performances were OK. In my mind not one stood out as stellar. Jeremy Sisto would be the performance that most worked for me. I had high expectations for this play and I think I was dissapointed, but I'll let you know tomorrow because I am still processing the whole experience. Perhaps it is just a "British" thing.
I saw Rabbit Hole last week and much preferred that to Festen.
Just my two cents.

[alli2]

Posted: 3/27/06 at 1:46pm

my friends and I went up to the box office last Friday to ask what it was about and they said, "we can't tell you, it's a secret!" If THAT'S their marketing campaign... they need figure out a new strategy.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 3/27/06 at 2:36pm

There's a whole thread that discusses this show. You might want to search for one next time, before starting a new one. See what people have already said.

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?page=2&thread=891283&startthread=2031296

Updated On: 3/27/06 at 02:36 PM

[sciguy]

Posted: 3/27/06 at 4:52pm

do the thread police always show up when you violate the reviewing rules?

[little_sally]

Posted: 3/27/06 at 5:00pm

Numerous people post their reviews to the same shows (even shows that have been open for years), lighten up! Besides, people often like to read other posters' comments on shows in previews. I know I do.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 3/27/06 at 5:17pm

Lighten up about what? I just directed the poster to a vigorous discussion about the show, thinking he'd wanna join in and see what others are saying. Nobody said a word about not wanting "numerous reviews."

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 3/27/06 at 6:21pm

I'm seeing it Friday. Can't wait.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 3/27/06 at 6:31pm

how's the set? show curtain? etc.

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 3/27/06 at 6:32pm

People tend to react defensively when it is pointed out that there is another, more established thread in existance about any given show. I'm usually happy when someone takes the initiative to see that she separate threads are "fused" together so that the discussion doesn't get splintered or diluted.

In this case, it would be terrific if SciGuy took his review and reposted it in the other thread so it doesn't get lost.