3 Luxembourg Productions Being Staged in Hollerich Ahead of FEATS

The opening night of Three Short Plays took place on Thursday 22 May 2025 at the Cultural Centre in Luxembourg-Hollerich (34 Rue Emile Lavandier).

All three productions, My Father, Odysseus, performed by year nine and ten students from St George's International School, Escurial, performed by Luxembourg’s New World Theatre Company (NWTC), and Too Darn Hot!, performed by Pirate Productions, take to the stage again on Friday 23 May at 19:00, while two productions, Escurial and Too Darn Hot!, will also be performed on Saturday 24 at 20:00 and on Sunday 25 May 2025 at 16:00.

The evening opened with My Father, Odysseus, written by Timberlake Wertenbaker and directed by Clare Williams. It is a retelling of the Greek myth Odysseus, from his son, Telemachus’ perspective. Telemachus does not remember his father, who left to go to war many years before, but is proud of the many legends associated with him. In the absence of Odysseus, Telemachus’ home has been taken over by very loud and rude men, suitors whom he hates, who lounge about while partying, eating and vying for his mother, Penelope’s, attention. Telemachus dreams of being a hero like his father, defending his legacy and protecting his mother from the suitors. His only friends are Greek goddesses, living in his imagination, who encourage him to embark on the journey to find Odysseus. Meanwhile, the homesick Odysseus, trapped on a desert island by the nymph Kalypso, regularly recalls and repeats the same war stories, prompting both sympathy and laughter from the audience. Kalypso sets him free and he embarks on the journey home to reconnect with his family. Odysseus and Telemachus have fantasised about meeting each other for many years, but the fantasy is very different to the reality of who they are now, leaving the audience to wonder if father and son will recognise each other and reunite. Will Penelope accept Odysseus’ return to her life and can he rid his house of the invading suitors?

The play deals with themes that resonate with modern teenage struggles, but is also full of light-hearted and funny moments. Great credit is due to all of the cast, who put their heart and souls into the live vocals and music of this fast-paced production.

NWTC’s short play, Escurial, was written by Michel de Ghelderode and directed by John Brigg. It is set in a palace where the King, becoming more and more disturbed and frenzied, awaits the impending death of his Queen. He summons his court jester, Folliall, to entertain him. This leads to a series of short power games, full of dramatic tension and increasing hostility, as King and Jester interact and attempt to outsmart each other. The atmosphere on stage gets increasingly frenetic as the King, goaded by the Jester, loses grip with reality, leading to a shocking revelation and outcome. Julien Farlin skilfully portrays the oscillating emotions and insanity of the King, while Gav Guilfoyle as the Jester displays a remarkable ability to shift abruptly between emotions.

Too Darn Hot! was first performed by Pirate Productions in November 2022 at the Hollerich Cultural Centre as a two-act piece, written and directed by Neil Johnson. It has been completely re-written as a one-act musical for the FEATS festival (see below). The plot revolves around American composer and playwright, Cole Porter, now an elderly man, who is being interviewed by a reporter from Life magazine. As Porter reminisces on his success on Broadway, the audience is brought on a journey back in time to scenes of cabaret dancing and singing. A live band on stage accompanies lively dancing as well as a selection of Porter’s acclaimed songs, including “Too Darn Hot”, “What is this Thing Called Love” and “Anything Goes”.

The real story of the musical, however, focuses on a particular episode in Porter’s life, when, as a married man, he fell deeply in love with another. The illicit relationship progresses until Porter’s wife finds out and pays the lover to disappear from Porter’s life. Porter gets emotional and upset recalling and reliving this profound love that the audience is led to believe is lost forever.

The three productions, Escurial, Too Darn Hot! and My Father, Odysseus, have been accepted as official entrants at this year’s Festival of European Anglophone Theatrical Societies (FEATS) which is taking place in Hamburg, Germany from Friday 6 to Monday 9 June 2025. During the festival, amateur English-speaking theatre groups from mainland Europe perform short plays which are assessed by a professional adjudicator or evaluator. Awards are given for the top three productions, as well as for best stage presentation, best actor and best actress. The host group gives out an award for best stage management.

While NWTC has regularly participated at FEATS over the years, this is the first time that Pirate Productions and St George’s International School are taking part. It is also the first time that a musical show will perform at FEATS.