London's Festen to Close at the Lyric on 4/16; Salesman is Next Tenant

The Almeida Theatre production of David Eldridge's English language stage version of Festen The Celebration, an adaptation of the original Danish Dogme film and play, will end its run at the Lyric Theatre on April 16.

Festen centers on Helge Klingenfeltand Stephen Moore and his family. He is celebrating his 60th birthday with his family at a magnificent old house in the Danish countryside. Gathered together are his loyal wife Else Carol Royle, his daughter Helene Lisa Palfrey, and sons Christian Paul Nicholls and Michael William Beck. As the evening progresses Christian feels compelled to break the silence surrounding a dark family secret.

The production, directed by Rufus Norris, ran at the Almeida for a limited engagement from March through May of last year. After a slew of great reviews, the show transferred to the Lyric, where it began performances on September 15.

Festen is up for five Olivier Awards, including Best Play. It has also been rumored for a Broadway transfer.

The next production at the Lyric will be Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, directed by Robert Falls and starring Brian Dennehy. It will begin its six-month limited engagement at the theater on May 10.