11 December 2024
Newsdesk
Acclaimed contemporary composer Mark-Anthony Turnage (Anna Nicole, Coraline) joins forces with Olivier Award-winning director Richard Jones (La bohème, Samson et Dalila) in the world premiere of Festen which runs on the Main Stage from 11 – 27 February 2025. In his much-anticipated return to The Royal Opera, Turnage, along with librettist Lee Hall (Billy Elliot), adapts Oscar-winning filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg’s 1998 film of the same name into this piercing new opera depicting an explosive and troubling family celebration.
Vinterberg’s film launched the Danish avant-garde film movement Dogme 95 in the late nineties, which focused on traditional storytelling, raw performance and strong themes. Elaborate special effects and technology were forbidden, while shooting was to be done on location, in natural light and with hand-held cameras. Because of this, Festen is particularly conducive to being adapted for the stage and has been multiple times, including for the Almeida Theatre in the West End and on Broadway.
Mark-Anthony Turnage, Composer of Festen, said:
“It means an enormous amount to me to write a new opera for The Royal Opera. I had such a great experience working on Anna Nicole that I jumped at the chance of writing another; The Royal Opera has been so loyal to me, really backing Lee Hall and I from the start. The original film by Thomas Vinterberg really draws you in from the first minute of action and the heart-breaking story about denial is, unfortunately, more relevant today than ever. Audiences can expect 90 minutes of high drama, lyricism and some dark humour along the way.”
Gerald Finley performs the role of Helge, the wealthy hotel owner whom the story revolves around, as he gathers his family and friends to celebrate his 60th birthday. As his children, performed by Allan Clayton (Christian), Stéphane Degout (Michael) and Natalya Romaniw (Helena), arrive they must confront the pain of their past, and the man responsible. The rest of the largely British cast is comprised of Rosie Aldridge (Else); Thomas Oliemans (Helmut); Susan Bickley (Grandma), Philippa Boyle* (Mette), who makes her Royal Opera debut; ; Peter Brathwaite (Gbatokai); Marta Fontanals-Simmons (Linda), Aled Hall (Chef); Julian Hubbard (Lars); Clare Presland (Pia); John Tomlinson (Grandpa); Ailish Tynan (Christine); Kitty Whately (Michelle); Jeremy White (Poul). Edward Gardner conducts.
The production is brought to life with an equally world-class creative team comprised of Set Designer Miriam Buether, Costume Designer Nicky Gillibrand, Lighting Designer Lucy Carter and Movement Director Lucy Burge.
Richard Jones, Director of Festen, said:
“Thomas Vinterberg’s film works on a double level of both farce and tragedy, and I think the addition of Mark-Anthony Turnage's music and Lee Hall’s distilled text augments both these aspects of the story. Hiding in plain sight - and consequent censored responses - has, sadly, featured in recent news stories.”
Reaffirming the Company’s commitment to new opera, Festen is the latest in a long line of acclaimed new commissions by The Royal Opera including Kaija Saariaho’s Innocence (2023); Oliver Leith’s Last Days (2022); Laura Bowler’s The Blue Woman (2022); George Benjamin’s Written on Skin (2012), Lessons in Love and Violence (2018) and Picture a Day Like This (2023); Mark-Anthony Turnage's Anna Nicole (2011).
World Premiere
The Royal Opera
FESTEN
Main Stage
11 February – 27 February 2025
Insights: Festen – ahead of its world premiere, cast and creatives explore the challenges and process of transforming Thomas Vinterberg’s cult film into a bold new opera.
23 January 2025, 7:30pm, Clore Studio.
Co-production with Finnish National Opera & Ballet
Guidance
Suitable for ages 16+. The opera contains themes of child sexual abuse, suicide and addiction. There are depictions of racist behaviour and violence.
Tickets £8-£175
More information and to book, visit rbo.org.uk
CREATIVES
Music Mark-Anthony Turnage
Libretto Lee Hall
Conductor Edward Gardner
Director Richard Jones
Set Designer Miriam Buether
Costume Designer Nicky Gillibrand
Lighting Designer Lucy Carter
Movement Director Lucy Burge
The performance lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes with no interval
CAST
Christian Allan Clayton
Michael Stéphane Degout
Helge Gerald Finley
Else Rosie Aldridge
Helena Natalya Romaniw
Helmut Thomas Oliemans
Grandma Susan Bickley
Mette Philippa Boyle*
Gbatokai Peter Brathwaite
Linda Marta Fontanals-Simmons
Chef Aled Hall
Lars Julian Hubbard*
Pia Clare Presland
Grandpa John Tomlinson
Christine Ailish Tynan
Michelle Kitty Whately
Poul Jeremy White
Royal Opera House Chorus
Chorus Director William Spaulding
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Concert Master Sergey Levitin
*Indicates debut with The Royal Opera
