| Happy Days are Here Again |
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Throughout the play, all eyes are on Winnie, who is literally trapped by the earth and is gradually being buried alive. By the start of the second set, we find Winnie literally buried up to her neck. The show is basically a monologue from Winnie, as there is minimal dialogue between Winnie and her husband, Willie, who for the most part ignores her. However, Winnie has plenty to say, as she evaluates her life and position in the world. While the premise of Happy Days is very dark, Winnie possesses a certain inner light that shines through to a mood of eternal optimism. As Winnie, Shaw is given the tall task of holding the audience’s attention through minimum use of her appendages.
Living up to the challenge, Shaw exceeds expectations and delivers a breathtaking performance. She uses her own personality to make the character relatable to the audience, while keep the otherwise dark subject matter light and humorous. Just as relevant in 2008 as it was in the early 60s, Happy Days is definitely worth checking out, but don’t procrastinate. The show’s run at BAM ends this weekend, although there is already speculation about a possible stint on Broadway, due to the overwhelming positive response and praise that has been garnished upon the show. –words by David Terra
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Kicking off BAM’s 2008 Spring Season is a production of Samuel Beckett’s 1961 masterpiece Happy Days, which is a dark comedy examining the human condition through the eyes of a middle-aged woman. For the remake of this modern classic, director Deborah Warner has teamed up with internationally renowned, Irish-born actress Fiona Shaw, who plays Winnie, the play’s protagonist. 
