be HAPPY

Fans of the 2014 show are delighted to see Stevenson reprising her role as the buoyant heroine Winnie this year, as are the critics; the reception for Happy Days has been just as strong as it was last year.

Written in 1960, the play is about a woman who, despite being buried waist-deep in the ground, follows a very precise daily routine as she recounts stories to her detached husband Willie. Her bright and hopeful outlook on life is in stark contrast to her situation, which only gets worse and worse, giving the audience the impression that for all her good intentions, Winnie could just be in a state of denial.

The role of Winnie was labelled by Dame Peggy Ashcroft as a ‘summit part’ for actresses, in the same vein that the role of Hamlet is a peak in a male actor’s career. But even with this weight of expectation on Juliet Stevenson’s shoulders, her performance is as hot as her parasol is when it bursts into flames.

The visual style, mesmerising performances and clever themes of this play add up to what is another example of the incredible variety and talent on offer south of the river this Spring.

Happy Days is running until 21st March 2015 at The Young Vic. Tickets from £10-£35, available from www.youngvic.org

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