The Feast of Snails (2002)
The Feast of Snails was an obscure Nordic play from an Icelandic novelist, Olaf Olafsson. In it we meet a solitary businessman, Karl Johnson (David Warner) dining alone. He is the only Icelandic member of a group of gourmets who style themselves Les Amis de l'Eté. As they dine on one of their famously themed meals in Paris, Karl will join them, synchronising the time of each course even though he is dining at his home in Iceland. The meal has been prepared by his housekeeper and cook, Katrin (Sorcha Cusack) and will be served by the buxom and very pretty maid, Rosa (Siwan Morris).
David Paulson (Philip), a stranger arrives with a mission he is reluctant to disclose until the right moment, but there is never a right moment for this kind of message. Paulson's only connection to the diners seems to be that he was once at school with Karl's son. He does eventually deliver his unpalatable message but not until he has been persuaded to sample the various snail courses and has completed a commando mission in the neighbour's house.
The play premièred at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue in February 2002. It was due to run until 4th May but posted early closing notices for 23rd March.
David Paulson (Philip), a stranger arrives with a mission he is reluctant to disclose until the right moment, but there is never a right moment for this kind of message. Paulson's only connection to the diners seems to be that he was once at school with Karl's son. He does eventually deliver his unpalatable message but not until he has been persuaded to sample the various snail courses and has completed a commando mission in the neighbour's house.
The play premièred at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue in February 2002. It was due to run until 4th May but posted early closing notices for 23rd March.
Philip plays...
David Paulson
A stranger who arrives at the house of Karl Johnson with a message for him. Karl, on a whim, invites David to join him for dinner.
David Paulson
A stranger who arrives at the house of Karl Johnson with a message for him. Karl, on a whim, invites David to join him for dinner.
Media
Trivia
- Philip and David Warner went on to star together in the second series of Mad Dogs.
- Each nationality of snail course to which the main character attributes a racial stereotype; the German snails are forever "invading other people's territory", the Icelandic snails are lazy and the Americans snails are fat, happy, outgoing and want everyone to like them.
- There was no interval in this play; it rand for one hour forty minutes straight.