Mark-Anthony Turnage – Lee Hall
Festen
Nothing will ever be the same again
Wealthy hotel owner Helge gathers his friends and family to celebrate his 60th birthday. Among the guests are his wife and their three adult children: Christian, Michael, and Helene. On the night of the celebration, Christian delivers a speech that exposes a dark family secret. The revelation is unsettling, but even more so are the guests’ reactions to it.
Festen is a tragedy laced with black humour, a shattering experience. Its themes include violence passed down through generations, suicide, the sexual abuse of children, and racism.
Celebrated contemporary composer Mark-Anthony Turnage and librettist Lee Hall have collaborated with director Richard Jones to transform Thomas Vinterberg’s Oscar-winning 1998 cult film into a powerful opera, which premiered to critical acclaim at the Royal Opera House in London in February 2025.
Festen was awarded Best New Opera Production at the prestigious Olivier Awards in April 2025.
“A haunting dance of light and dark” – The Times
“A bold premiere of pulverising brilliance” – The Telegraph
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Synopsis
The events take place in the summer of 1989, at a family-run hotel in the Danish countryside.
ACT I
SCENE I: ARRIVALS
At Helge and Else Klingefeldt’s hotel, friends, business associates and family gather to celebrate Helge’s 60th birthday. The guests herald Helge’s arrival with a Danish birthday song. Helge asks his eldest son, Christian, to say a few words about his recently deceased
sister, Linda, at the forthcoming dinner, Christian reassures Helge that he is prepared.
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SCENE II: GETTING READY
Christian and Pia go to his room before dinner. Michael and Mette get ready in their room. In the bathroom where Linda died, Helena and Lars find a hidden letter.
ACT II
SCENE I: THE PARTY
At the dinner party, guests take their seats. Christian begins the evening’s toasts, but rather than honour his father, reveals shocking family secrets. More toasts are made by the family. Christian continues to make the guests confront the truth. Not believing him, Michael and others lock him in the wine cellar to silence him. Michael leads the guests in a song insulting Helena’s boyfriend, Gbatokai. Helena reads aloud the letter found in Linda’s room.
SCENE II
Helge hides in the kitchen. Michael finds him for a violent confrontation. Guests continue to party next door. Christian thinks about his dead sister.
ACT III
CODA: THE NEXT MORNING
Guests arrive for breakfast, greeting each other and Helge enters.
From the silver screen to the opera stage
gallery
creative team
- Music
- Marc-Anthony Turnage
- Libretto
- Lee Hall
- Director
- Richard Jones
- Set design
- Miriam Bûther
- Costume design
- Nicky Gillibrand
- Lighting design
- Lucy Carter
- Movement director
- Lucy Burge
- Conductor
- James Hendry
cast
- Mette
- NN
- Helmut
- NN
Pricing
Ticket categories: standard ticket / pensioner / student / military or non-military service member / youth (aged 20 and under)
Price categories: seating in the auditorium is divided into eight price categories (A–H) based on visibility. Ticket prices vary depending on the seat location, performance date, and demand. The lowest price categories (F–H) are only available for standard tickets.
Same-day discounted tickets are available for €30 for visitors aged 20 and under, students, military or non-military service members, unemployed persons, pensioners and senior citizens aged 65 or over, subject to availability. These discounted tickets can be purchased for stalls seating, starting 12 hours before the performance.
Standard, youth, student, and pensioner tickets include a flexible exchange option up to 24 hours before the performance. If you exchange your ticket, the value will be credited to your customer account as a balance for future use.
tickets and performances
If you have experienced violence in a close relationship, abuse, or racism, support is available through these channels:
-Nollalinja is a free, 24/7 helpline offering support every day of the year. You can reach them at 080 005 005 or visit nollalinja.fi.
-The crisis helpline of MIELI Mental Health Finland is available 24/7 at 09 2525 0111 (in Finnish only). Calls are anonymous and confidential. mieli.fi/tukea-ja-apua
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