“Happy Hour”

My latest reviewing assignment for British Theatre Guide was “Happy Hour” at the Sherman Cymru, in partnership with Glasgow’s Òran Mór. This is a highly accomplished debut by Anita Vettesse, albeit in a familiar setting – a family coping with the aftermath of a bereavement; on this occasion a publican’s widow and her two adult children bickering over money, affection etc. 

"Happy Hour" (photo by Leslie Black)

This was a guest production from the “A Play, A Pie and A Pint” initiative. Apparently the Òran Mór stage 38 lunchtime productions a year, without losing money; the Sherman played it in the early evening, and if social media is anything to go by, did good business over the five day run. I’ve said this before, and doubtless will again, but surely it is not beyond the wit of one of Cardiff’s many creative entrepreneurs to team up with a suitable team of sponsors and bring such a scheme here. After all, no-one who walks the streets of this fine city would be able to deny our love for both pies and pints…