Happy Days November 9, 2009

Samuel Beckett has given us some of the most unforgettable theatrical creations of the last hundred years – wondrous vaudevilles of despair and loneliness. But hovering amongst his ruined world is the little voice of a little woman speaking with insistent optimism: Winnie in Happy Days.

She’s half-buried in a mound of earth. Her husband lives in a hole in the ground behind her. The sun beats down stronger every day. She has a revolver in her handbag in case it all gets too much – and often it very nearly does. But there’s always the chance that, despite all the obstacles, love might still conquer her little mountain.

If the peak of an actress’ career is to be buried up to her neck in a mound of dirt and still glory in life, then who but Julie Forsyth is up to the task? Malthouse Melbourne’s Artistic Director and Company B prodigal son Michael Kantor directs.

We’re grinning already that they’re coming to Belvoir St for this tour de force of tragic clowning.