by Ashlei Havili Thomas
Samuel Beckett’s plays are not for everyone, and Happy Daysperformed by The Sting & Honey Company at the Regent Street Theater in Salt Lake City, Utah, definitely falls in that category. Most of the theater performed in Utah has one of two purposes: to awe the audience or to make them feel good. It sells tickets for people to be happy. Most Utahns do not go the theater to feel uncomfortable or confused, and in this reviewer’s opinion it stunts their experience. Happy Days is somewhat obscure, and not easily explained, but the themes and ideas conveyed in the story are worth the experience.
Happy Days tells the story of Winnie, a woman stuck in a rock from the waist down. Her husband Willie lives in a hole some distance behind her and provides little appearance or spoken words but to offer short replies to Winnie’s unending chatter. Winnie’s unwavering optimism, joy in her simple routines, and happy memories are almost comical. Yet there are moments we see through her chipper veneer throughout the play, more so as she sinks even deeper into the rock. As the director’s note in the program states, “The play is not a satire, and Winnie is not in denial. She understands her dire circumstance with a cold clarity. And she chooses to smile, to dress up, to think big ideas, to be curious about the world around her, and to sing.”
Colleen Baum plays Winnie with panache. Her storytelling, facial expressions, and vocal choices carry the show where it could have easily fallen flat with a less exceptional actress. At times, you almost forget she’s immobile. Baum balances the comical and tragic elements of her character to perfection. The precision and weight with which she performs each of Winnie’s innumerous daily rituals gives depth to a character that could easily be perceived as shallow. Likewise, Mark Fossen as Willie is the breath of fresh air in this show. Though his appearances and lines are few and far between, the interaction between Fossen and Baum is the best part of the show. All in all, they truly “rock” the performance.
Javen Tanner doubles as both the director and scenic designer. The simplicity of the design allows the acting to stand out and draws attention to the few props used throughout the play. The lighting design by Hayden Phillips uses bold colors to frame the show in an almost otherworldly setting. Phillips’ design complements the recurring idea in the show that Winnie is aware of the audience’s gaze and presence. It would be remiss of me to omit the costume design by Tara Lynn Tanner. While her chosen pieces are simple, the obvious attention to detail is apparent. The chosen colors, styles and textures for both characters lend to the actors’ portrayal with subtlety and grace.
This show is better suited to older audiences with an open mind. I was saddened to see many of the patrons leave at intermission, and hope future audiences come with a better attitude and better ettiquette. If you are unfamiliar with the Regent Street Theater, make sure to use Google Maps and give yourself plenty of time to find the entrance. I got lost myself and almost missed this lovely performance. There are plenty of places to eat nearby, so coming early to find the location has multiple benefits. Though this is only the second Beckett play I have seen, and the first by The Sting & Honey Company, I greatly enjoyed it and can’t wait to see another. Do not let the absurdity of the plot or the seemingly plodding storyline make your eyes glaze over and close off your heart. The characters will ring true with many, and the sadness makes the moments of laughter all the sweeter. Let this play into your heart and make sure to see Happy Days before it closes.
The Sting & Honey Company presents Happy Days by Samuel Beckett
Regent Street Theater, 144 Regent Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
September 6-7,12-14,19-21, 2019, 7:30 PM, 2:00 PM Saturday Matinee
Tickets: $23, General Admission, call 801-355-2787 for Student, Senior it Veteran discounts (https://arttix.instantencore.com/m2/app.html?v=180524#tproduction/24027/happy-days)
The Sting & Honey website (http://stingandhoney.org/)
The Sting & Honey Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/stingandhoney/)
Happy Days Facebook Event (https://www.facebook.com/events/910904699270543/?event_time_id=910904709270542?ti=icl)
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