Happy Days at the Royal Exchange

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

Book now

Happy Days

Royal Exchange Theatre, City Centre
25 May-23 June 2018

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Happy Days at the Royal Exchange
Royal Exchange Theatre
Book now

When we heard that Maxine Peake and Sarah Frankcom were to join forces once again – for a new production of Samuel Beckett’s Happy Days – we were full of anticipation and excitement.

Beckett’s Happy Days is a brilliantly challenging two-hander which will see Peake play Winnie, a woman who is buried waist-deep in a mound of earth, alongside David Crellin as her husband Willie. Crellin most recently performed in The Mighty Walzer at Manchester’s Royal Exchange.

Winnie is half-buried throughout the whole of the play – staying put – she is an all-seeing presence. Armed with a toothbrush, her medicine and a lipstick amongst other things, she structures her days with the comfort of routine and survives the everyday with fragments of prattling optimism. Her husband, Willie lives in the shadows of his underground cave – keeping himself out of Winnie’s gaze – the couple both anticipate the sound of the bell ringing to bring in another happy day.

Happy days is a life-affirming theatre classic of the twentieth century which seeks to interrogate the complexities of our rapidly changing world. Perhaps the most uncanny aspect of the play is the way that Winnie seems so comfortable with being entombed – which of course, for Beckett signifies the relentless obtrusion of time. Taking on some of the central problems that have fascinated western philosophy – from our everyday struggles to the epic issues of humanity, the relation of past experience to the present, the relationship between mind and body and the strength and limits of the will – makes Happy Days a highly relevant existential masterpiece.

Actress Dame Peggy Ashcroft was reported to have said, “Winnie is one of those parts, I believe, that actresses will want to play in the same way that actors aim at Hamlet”. Well, Maxine Peake is one of the few actresses who has already ticked Hamlet off the list and garnered much critical acclaim. We absolutely cannot wait to see what she makes of this truly exceptional role.

What's on at Royal Exchange Theatre

Where to go near Happy Days at the Royal Exchange

CUPRA City Garage DJ Decks
City Centre
Café or Coffee Shop
CUPRA City Garage

Already based in Paris, Mexico City, Sydney and Vienna, CUPRA’s international expansion is driven by culture as much as cars, and Manchester’s creative energy has clearly caught their attention.

St Ann’s Square
City Centre
Park
St Ann’s Square

St Ann’s Square is a quiet little enclave of shops, with Barton’s Arcade set back from it on one side, and St Ann’s Church, which dates back to 1712 and…

Rapha Clubhouse Manchester
City Centre
Shop
Rapha Clubhouse Manchester

AKA cyclist heaven, Rapha is more than just a cycle-wear shop. It’s a place for anyone who loves cycling to congregate and celebrate the sport together.

City Centre
King Street Manchester

King Street is one of the most picturesque parts of Manchester with buildings designed by Alfred Waterhouse and C.R. Cockerell. Once Manchester’s financial epicenter, it’s now home to high-end retail and fine dining.

Manchester
Restaurant
KAI Deansgate

Kai is a Turkish restaurant on Deansgate, set up by the brains behind the well-regarded Zouk restaurant. Expect excellent mezze plates and an open grill that releases wonderful aromas throughout the venue.

City Centre
Restaurant
Lunya Manchester

Lunya is a Spanish and Catalan deli and restaurant in Manchester’s stunning Barton Arcade. The food is reliably fresh and the staff both charming and incredibly knowledgable.

City Centre
Shop
Aston’s Of Manchester

In Royal Exchange Arcade, Aston’s of Manchester is a tobacconist that recently branched out into whisky sales. In their shop you’ll find an interesting selection of bottles to buy, including

What's on: Theatre

Culture Guides

Star Nhà Ease
Cinema in the North

July's cinema highlights include spotlights on international cinema, a new cult classic, plus a visit from one of our favourite directors.

Exhibitions in the North

Captivating, urgent and intimate - we bring you our top exhibition picks, with even more art festivals, artist-led shows and new venues.

Theatre in Manchester
Theatre in the North

Summer signals theatre festivals, world premieres and open-air spectacle - from MIF25 to comedy, outdoor circus and beyond, here’s what we’re looking forward to.

European Poetry Festival European Camarade
Literature Events in the North

From tongue-twisters to twisty page-turners, we have all kinds of spoken word surprises in the latest literature round-up.