Casting confirmed for "Festen" at Lyric 15 Sep 2004

Casting confirmed for "Festen" at Lyric 15 Sep 2004

Casting has now been confirmed for the Almeida Theatre production of David Eldridge's new English Language adaptation of Festen, which transfers to the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Ave, opening 23 Sep 2004, following previews from 15 Sep 2004, and booking to 15 Jan 2005.

Most of the original Almeida cast reprise their roles except Tom Hardy, Jonny Lee Miller, Gary Oliver & Robert Pugh, whose roles are now played by Rory Kinnear (Michael), Luke Mably (Christian), Stephen Moore (Helge) & Andrew Frame (Kim). The rest of the cast transfer with the show: Jane Asher (Else), Sam Beazley (Grandfather), Sam Cox (Poul), Andrew Maud (Lars), Ruth Millar (Pia), Lisa Palfrey (Mette), Patrick Robinson (Gbatokai), Claire Rushbrook (Helene), Michael Thomas (Helmut).

Festen is a dramatization by David Eldridge based on the Dogme film and play by Thomas Vinterberg, Mogens Rukov and Bo hr. Hansen.

It is directed by Rufus Norris, designed by Ian MacNeil,lighting by Jean Kalman, costumes by Joan Wadge, and produced in the West End by Maria Rubin & Bill Kenwright

Patriarch Helge Klingenfelt is celebrating his 60th birthday with his family at a magnificent old hotel in the Danish countryside. Gathered together are his loyal wife Elsa, his daughter Helene, and sons Christian and Michael. As the evening progresses Christian feels compelled to break the silence surrounding a dark family secret. The effect is explosive and sets the tone for a celebration no-one will forget.

Jane Asher's London stage credits includes "House/Garden" and "The School for Scandal" for the National Theatre, "The Shallow End" for the Royal Court and "Henceforward" at the Vaudeville Theatre.

Rory Kinnear London stage credits includes Laertes in Trevor Nunn's "Hamlet" at the Old Vic, and "The Taming of the Shrew" and "The Tamer Tamed" for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Luke Mably theatre work includes "Rush" for Theatre Royal Stratford East and "Breakfast Club" for Base Theatre Company. His film work includes recently released "The Prince and Me" in which he plays the title role opposite Julia Stiles, "Colour Me Kubrick" and Danny Boyle's "28 Days Later". He has recently returned from Romania where he has completed filming "The Spirit Trap", directed by David Yates.

Stephen Moore theatre work includes "Enemy of the People", "Peer Gynt", "A Small Family Business" and "Bedroom Farce" for the National Theatre and "Twelfth Night" and "All's Well That End's Well" for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Claire Rushbrook theatre work includes "The Crucible" for Sheffield Theatres, "Hindle Wakes" for the Royal Exchange, "Raising Fires" for the Bush Theatre and "Food Chain" for the Royal Court. Her television work includes "Linda Green", "Stretford Wives" and "Family Business" and her film work includes "Secrets and Lies", "Plunkett and Macleane" and "Crocodile Snap".

(Festen opened at the Almeida Theatre in March 2004 for a limited run 1 May 2004.)