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'Happy Days' for Beckett fans

By Matt Windman, amNewYork Theater Critic
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January 31, 2008

Happy Days (January 31, 2008)

It ain't easy being a Beckett character. Seems like you're either waiting helplessly for Godot, trapped in the ground or talking out of a trashcan. And don't get us started on a Beckett audience. Some of them may have actually expected an active plot instead of a thesis on existentialism.

"Happy Days," which is second only to "Waiting for Godot" in the popularity of Beckett plays, observes the plight of Winnie, who is embedded up to her "big bosom" in a mound of earth. How did she get trapped? We never learn. Her day begins once a bell rings, but no one appears to be around besides her silent husband. But God bless her, she's an extremely optimistic person. She fuddles through her handbag for fun and constantly reminds herself what a lucky gal she is.

But when Act Two arrives, she's suddenly trapped up to her neck. No longer to even pray, it looks like she may finally be forced to succumb to the sadness surrounding her. "Oh, this is a happy day," she militantly reminds herself in between pauses. "This will have been another happy day. After all. So far."

The new production at BAM reunites actress Fiona Show and director Deborah Warner, who scored five years ago with their stunning revival of "Medea," which began at BAM and then transferred to Broadway.

Although the Beckett estate actively polices any revival in order to prevent any updates or changes, Warner's visual take on the material is pretty novel. Here, the small mound of earth is expanded into a mountain that consumes the entire stage. The set as a whole looks like an apocalyptic wasteland, making Winnie appear like the last woman on earth. And in our favorite addition, the "Happy Days" TV theme is blasted throughout the theater during intermission.

Whether these visual changes are for better or worse is up to the viewer to decide. But no one can deny that Fiona Shaw delivers a brilliantly animated performance as Winnie, portraying her as a faded diva rather than a submissive housewife.

BAM Harvey Theater, 651 Fulton St, 718-636-4100, $25-75. Fri 7:30pm, Sat 2 & 7:30pm, Sun 3pm. Thru Feb 8