In Celebration is a 1975 film adaptation of the play by David Storey. It was directed by Lindsay Anderson and was produced and released as part of the American Film Theatre, which adapted theatrical works for a subscription-driven cinema series.
The film focuses on the turmoil facing a North England couple who are celebrating their 40th anniversary. The father (Bill Owen) was a coal miner who married a woman from a higher social level (Constance Chapman). She urged their sons to abandon their father’s mining heritage in pursuit of corporate careers, but the results were not positive. One son (Alan Bates) became an attorney, but abandoned the work to pursue painting. Another son (Brian Cox) dedicated his career to writing, but has not produced any notable published works. The third son (James Bolam) enjoyed material (but not emotional) success as a labour negotiator for an automobile company. During the family gathering, the parents and their sons recall unpleasant past incidents, including the death of another brother, the mother’s suicide attempt, and the outing of one son as a homosexual.[1]
In Celebration received strong reviews during its theatrical run. Vincent Canby, writing in The New York Times, praised Anderson for having “succeeded in making a very complete, full-bodied film of Mr. Storey's play without being tricky or intrusive…Mr. Anderson has also gotten terrific performances from everyone, especially Mr. Bates, Miss Chapman and Mr. Cox, as the most troubled of the Shaw sons.”[2] New York Magazine echoed the sentiment, noting “Anderson and a superb cast have made a harrowing and satisfying suspense drama.”[3]
In Celebration was revived at the Duke of York's Theatre, London by Sonia Friedman productions.
Cast Steven Orlando Bloom Mr Shaw Tim Healy Mrs Burnett Lynda Baron Mrs Shaw Dearbhla Molloy Andrew Paul Hilton Colin Gareth Farr Reardon Ciaran McIntyre
Creatives Director Anna Mackmin Designer Lez Brotherston Lighting Mark Henderson Music Stephen Warbeck Sound John Leonard Choreographer Scarlett Mackmin
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