Photos - Jeff Busby
Written in 1960, Happy Days is an absurdist conceit. A woman - Winnie - is stuck in a mound from the waist up. In the second act, the mound has grown and only her head remains visible. What’s the point of life, is the crie d’coeur, but Winnie persists with dogged optimism “Oh happy days” is her refrain, uttered when she gets the slightest response from her beloved Willie. He is a wretched creature, who is physically able but mentally vacant, the reverse of Winnie’s situation.
Julie Forsyth cements her position as one of Australia’s foremost actors with this exhilarating performance. The fun, wit and verve she injects into the character of poor stuck Winnie belies the incredible stamina required for this role. It’s a commanding performance. The final act, requiring only facial expressions and verbal gestures, elicits profound audience empathy. It‘s literally the kind of performance that brings tears to your eyes, but the tears aren’t for Winnie or Willie. They are for ourselves.
The blinding clarity of Beckett’s vision, the remorseless staring down of death, the inescapable universality of the experience he portrays is a gift to us. It is liberated from the script by Michael Kantor’s incisive direction which contextualizes the play, just enough, in the London Blitz, and the world class performances by Forsyth and Peter Carroll. Watching the degradation, we are forced to embrace our own mortality. Contained within that is the most universal of all emotions, compassion, for self and others.
Happy Days is timeless in its themes, yet resonates splendidly with current debates about euthanasia, an added layering that old Sam, would no doubt approve of.
Company B Belvoir presents a Malthouse Melbourne production
HAPPY DAYS
by Samuel Beckett
Director Michael Kantor
Venue: Belvoir St Theatre, 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills
Dates: 6 November – 16 December 2009
Previews: 4 & 5 November. All preview tickets $34
Times: Tuesday 6.30pm, Wednesday to Friday 8pm, Saturday 2pm & 8pm, Sunday 5pm.
Tickets: Full $56. Seniors (excluding Fri/Sat evenings) and Groups 10+ $46. Concession $34. Student Rush $25 for Tuesday 6.30pm and Saturday 2pm, available from 10am on the day (subject to availability)
Bookings: 9699 3444 or www.belvoir.com.au
Sydney Reviews
Happy Days | Company B Belvoir
- Details
- jane barton
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