Originally a small scale film in Denmark, "Festen" was released in the U.S. as "The Celebration." Then, it was re-made again into a play that had a good run in London, a short one in New York.

This much traveled work begins harmlessly enough. It's a 60th birthday celebration for Daddy, a wealthy entrepreneur at his country home, one filled with bedrooms, servants and even a private chef.

The family has gathered, children, grandchildren, old friends. The food is elaborate, the wine copious and the pent-up anger exploding, ravaging all within the mansion.

"Festen" pulls no punches and begins with a haymaker which I can't relate here. Just remember that there's a choice of colors upon which so much depends. The story line involves everyone, whether they are directly affected or not. By now, you have probably begun to have an inkling into the play's theme. No one who has heard of the tragedies at Penn State or within the Catholic Church can fail to suspect what this work concerns.

In the end, everyone is finally asking how do you deal with a horror that won't go away?

Director Tony Estrella led a cast of 14 on a focused search to air that question. The acting in "Festen" is remarkably piercing, almost always on target. Neither, considerable humor, great emotion or physical moments obscure the work's central point. I should mention that there some brief, but graphic, sex.

Gamm veteran Steve Kidd plays the most involved son with controlled power displaying his man's both naked and covered fierce needs and great confusions. There's an abiding strength in this superior performance. As his brother, Alexander Platt, who was so fine as St. Paul in "Paul" at the Gamm gives another powerful but shaded performance. And Boston veteran Will Lyman, best known as the "voice" of PBS's "Frontline," shows us the father's anger and nastiness. In the end, you feel little or nothing for a defeated man.

As "Festen" progresses it seems to become increasingly metaphorical. When servants refuse to serve, when brothers collide, when a wife must make a life-changing decision, it's possible to wonder if this play is not simply unreal, illogical.

But "Festen" is making a statement far beyond what realism can allow. That's where its power resides. It's not a work for everyone, for the faint of heart or perhaps those who have suffered personally from its central story. But for anyone who loves gutsy theater, "Festen" is a must.

Want to Go?
"Festen" continues at the Gamm Theatre through February 12th.

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