After a shrill bell rings out loudly in the blackout, the stage lights flood down on Winnie, who is embedded centre stage in an aged, metallic, grey mound up to her frilled and pastel-frocked bosom. She embraces the ‘happy’ day ahead. She has her bag of familiar essentials next to her.
With a meditative wistfulness, she rummages through her bag, taking simple pleasures from her toothbrush, mirror, red glasses, lipstick and memories. She also has a gun amongst her possessions.
She calls to her semi-capacitated husband behind her, hoping he is listening to her cheerful chirpiness. Silence for Winnie is not an option.
Her husband,Willie, (played cleverly with quirky, taciturn humour by Markus Hamilton), is either crawling in and out of his man cave below, or is behind her – his back to her – reading his paper, occasionally muttering bland news items which fuel her enthusiasm.
The calm pace, sense of the unknown and thought-provoking dialogue in HAPPY DAYS can bring on a cathartic, meditative state. It is timeless but still relevant to what is happening in our world today.
Winnie is played with formidable precision by Pamela Rabe. Her elegant gestures, inquisitive nature and her endearing smile contrast with the sadness of her situation. She is enchanting and compelling in what is essentially a 95 minute monologue, one of theatre’s most challenging roles written by one of theatre’s most challenging playwrights, Samuel Beckett.
Beckett is recognised as one of the greatest dramatists of the twentieth century. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1969.
Waiting for Godot is perhaps his best known play.
HAPPY DAYS premiered at the Cherry Lane theatre in New York City in September, 1961. 64 years ago.
Rabe’s co-director, lighting and set designer, Nick Schlieper is a theatre ‘craftsman’, whose many years of creative brilliance and wide experience have earned him great respect. Their Directors’ note says:“At its heart this work is about how human beings persevere and survive, even in the face of the most daunting conditions, whatever form those might take”
Costume designer Mel Page has done a splendid job. Winnie’s outfit and props bring life to the stark and neutral set.
HAPPY DAYS is thoughtful and provocative. A masterclass of acting. It plays at Wharf 1, Sydney Theatre Company, Walsh Bay until the 15th of June, 2025.
