Thomas Vinterberg, Mogens Rukov, Bo Hr. Hansen
The Celebration
The sixtieth birthday of Helge, a wealthy industrialist and prominent bourgeois, is celebrated with a large gathering of relatives and friends at the family estate. A sumptuous celebration is in store. It is also attended by Helge’s grown-up children: the bitter Christian, the aggressive Michael with his family, and the cosmopolitan Helena with her new boyfriend. Soon, it comes to light that the Helge’s have another child, a daughter Laura who has recently taken her life in this very house.
When Christian reveals a long-kept family secret to his twin sister instead of giving a memorial speech, the polished surface slowly but steadily begins to fade away.
In spite of the desperate attempts of some to deny and suppress things, and in spite of complete silence of mother Elsa, the shameful sequel is inevitable. A seemingly normal family is torn apart by unresolved traumas and deep resentments between individuals. A social evening turns into a long night of revelations and recriminations ... But in a highly hierarchical world, “the truth” is dictated by those at the top of the ladder.
Festen, 1998
Drama
Premiere: 30. January 2023
Performance length is 2 hours and 0 minutes and has no pause.
Creators
Translator
Alenka Klabus Vesel
Director
Janusz Kica
Dramaturg
Eva Mahkovic
Set designer
Karin Fritz
COSTUME DESIGNER
Bjanka Adžić Ursulov
MUSIC SELECTOR
Darja Hlavka Godina
LANGUAGE CONSULTANT
Maja Cerar
Repetiteur
Višnja Kajgana
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Andrej Koležnik
SOUND DESIGNER
Sašo Dragaš
Actors
Helge
Boris Ostan
Else
Judita Zidar
Christian
Branko Jordan
Helene
Iva Krajnc Bagola
Michael
Filip Samobor
Mette
Viktorija Bencik Emeršič
Ajda Smrekar
Gbatokai
HELGE'S FATHER
Jožef Ropoša
HELGE'S MOTHER
Meta Mačak k. g.
Kim
Jaka Lah
Helmut
Alojz Svete k. g.
Bent
Boris Kerč
Leif
Tomo Tomšič
Poul
Gašper Jarni
Lars
Voranc Boh k. g.
Pia
Klara Kuk k. g.
Michelle
Julita Kropec k. g.
Preben
Gal Oblak k. g.
and Linda
Tjaša Železnik
The Celebration is a successful theatrical remake of the famous film from the late 1990s, created according to the principles of the Dogme 95 art movement, which was conceived by Danish directors Lars von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg. The film is a psychological tragedy with elements of typical Scandinavian black humour. This intimate drama is perfect for the stage, so it is no surprise that the theatrical adaptation has already been translated into 15 languages.
There are many reasons why the famous and often performed play The Celebration by Thomas Vinterberg, Mogens Rukov and Bo Hr. Hansen is put on stage again and again. It is as fascinating and thrilling today as it was in the past. Its subject matter is timeless. Its theme is universal, its form refined and dramaturgically perfect, its effect is, for the most part, powerful and almost cathartic. Its story enables identification and opens up to everyone – particularly because family complications are at the heart of the action. The work therefore allows for what theatre can and must do – an emotional experience. Through its insightful dramaturgy, it develops an irresistible attraction and creates a strong bond between the audience and the performers.
Opening in January 2023 on the Main Stage