Happy Days - reviews of Beckett revival at Young Vic
Juliet Stevenson wows critics as a cheery chatterbox in Beckett's surreal classic about marriage and death
What you need to know
Critics are praising Juliet Stevenson's "mesmerising" performance in a revival of Samuel Beckett's absurdist classic Happy Days at the Young Vic Theatre. Stevenson (Truly Madly Deeply, Death and the Maiden) stars as Winnie in Beckett's 1960 surreal two-hander, directed by Natalie Abrahami.
The play focuses on the relentlessly cheery chatterbox Winnie, a woman trapped - literally buried up to her waist, then her neck, in sand - in a sterile marriage to a detached husband. Winnie desperately tries to remain hopeful as the world closes in around her. Runs until 8 March.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What the critics like
Juliet Stevenson gives a "mesmerising performance" in a play that sounds the emotional depths, while also managing to be funny and touching too, says Charles Spencer in the Daily Telegraph. Stevenson and her director Natalie Abrahami make every very word count, in this peculiar yet deeply compassionate play with extraordinary power and resonance.
Stevenson imbues her half-buried heroine Winnie with "wit, warmth and a desperate vitality", says Dominic Maxwell in The Times. This demanding near-monologue is a delicious parody of mortality and Stevenson and Abrahami have mixed the tragic with the comic beautifully.
Stevenson mesmerises as Winnie in this "towering masterpiece of a play", says David Nice on the Arts Desk. She sets a tragic-heroic benchmark and every moment of her perfectly modulated near-monologue is authentic, and from despair to optimism, anger to comedy.
What they don't like
Critics have very little negative to say about the production. While Maxwell admits Beckett's "two hours of existential despair" mean Happy Days is not an easy play, he adds, "Stevenson ensures this is an evening to cherish".
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Fallout: one of the 'most faithful – and best – video game adaptations'
The Week Recommends This 'genre-bending' new Amazon series is set in a post-apocalyptic wilderness where survivors shelter below ground
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Test of faith for Trump Media's investors'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Will Iran attack hinder support for Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Pro-Kyiv allies cry 'hypocrisy' and 'double standards' even as the US readies new support package
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
The Westbury Hotel review: stunning suites in charming Dublin
The Week Recommends This hotel is the perfect spot to while away a weekend in Ireland's capital
By Kaye O'Doherty Published
-
Drama movies 2024: new films out this year
In Depth Latest reviews include The Boys in the Boat, One Life and Tchaikovsky's Wife
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Best new hotels and places to stay in 2024
The Week Recommends Featuring stylish island resorts, historical properties and wilderness retreats
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Albums of the year: best music of 2023
The Week Recommends A look back at the best pop, rap, jazz, dance, classical and rock releases
By The Week UK Published
-
Savoy Grill by Gordon Ramsay review: an institution reinvented
The Week Recommends Traditions are maintained and the tweaks are clever and modern
By Neil Davey Published
-
Tulum: a Mexican beach town of 'two halves'
The Week Recommends With the 'pueblo' and 'Zona Hotelera', Tulum is home to great hotels, restaurants and beach clubs
By William Leigh Published
-
La Zebra review: beach chic, perfect tacos and secret cenotes
The Week Recommends Enjoy a stylish stay in Mexico at this family-friendly beach hotel and restaurant
By William Leigh Published
-
Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas review: a mythical beachside resort
The Week Recommends Combine the classically simple pleasures of sun, sea and sand with upmarket fun and food
By Adrienne Wyper Published