Tmesis Theatre’s production Happy Hour combines the company’s trademark physicality with comedy, music, and text from long-term collaborator Chris Fittock. It is a commission from Liverpool’s Unity Theatre.

The workers on Level 3 are racing against the clock to reach their quota of Smiley Faces, but are they really happy enough? A poignant, fast paced, comedy exploring our 21st century obsession with happiness and success. Can we learn to be happy?  And can our emotions be bought and sold? The ‘happiness industry’ would have us think so…

Directed by: Elinor Randle

Created by: Tmesis Theatre & Chris Fittock

Script: Chris Fittock

Performed by: Ian Cook, Adam Davies, Eleni Edipidi & Jennifer Essex

Designed by: Lois Maskell

Lighting Design: Beccy Hillam

Composer & Sound Design: Meike Holzmann

Stage Manager: Lucy Graham

“EXPERTLY CHOREOGRAPHED … LAUGH OUT LOUD COMEDY. THIS IS THOUGHT-PROVOKING STUFF AND ANYONE WHO HAS EVER BEEN ASKED TO COMPLETE A HAPPINESS SURVEY BY THEIR EMPLOYER MAY BE LEFT FEELING SLIGHTLY QUEASY.”

– Nigel Smith, The Stage

“Happy Hour is a hilarious hour of physical theatre that weaves a complex and highly detailed path through comedy, dance, slapstick and drama…delivered with impressive physical skill, comedic acting and depth.”

The Reviews Hub – Peter Jacobs

“Happy Hour is packed with madness, beautifully choreographed and brilliantly performed.”

Liverpool Art Scene – Janine Phillips

“Cleverly put together physical theatre, beautifully thought out choreography and quick witted humour”

North West End – Amanda Woods

Wirral Globe

Canal St Online

“TMESIS HAVE DONE A BRILLIANT JOB OF CREATING A SKEWED OFFICE COMEDY.

Nerve Magazine – Ashley McGovern

“TMESIS YET AGAIN HAVE SCORED A DIRECT HIT WITH THEIR PERFORMANCE, OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY… A PERFORMANCE OF SPECTACLE AND TRUE QUALITY.”

Liverpool Sound & Vision (9/10) – Ian Hall

“CRINGE-WORTHY, HYSTERICAL AND BIZARRE, THIS IS A SHOW LIKE NO OTHER.”

Urbanista – Liam Porter

“DOES NOT WASTE A MOMENT AND ENTHRALLS AND INTRIGUES FROM BEGINNING TO END.”

Made up on Stage – Vicky Anderson