Performer and writer of the wonderful ‘Get Happy’ Joseph Aldous greets his audience like a cheerleader. Big energy, smiling and excitable- it’s impossible not to be pleased as we take our seats and buckle in for a wild night.
Get Happy focuses on a 30-year man, single and looking for a long term partner but being subjected to one night stands and transactional relationships. He is plunged into chaos as his flatmate ‘Ryan’ announces his perfect engagement and perfect to be life as he ends his tenancy. Adam has only one choice to prove that he’s as worthy as his flatmate. He needs to ‘get happy’. To do this he trusts his Alexa to journey with him through this week in London, hoping by the Sunday he 1. Has a new boyfriend, 2. Has a new promotion and 3. Finds a new flatmate.
This 75-minute piece travels at a delightfully rapid pace as Adam confronts the issues in his life, seemingly caused by his own naïveté and selfishness. His chaos has an undercurrent, something he continually runs away from which is the anniversary of his mother’s passing. By the end, Adam has left his own life in scatters which leaves him alone, just with his Alexa as he finds peace and forgiveness in himself. Adam leaves us before he can make peace with his friends, who have been involved in the fallout however not before he can finally show us his dance to Kesha- his favourite memory with his mum in his secondary school talent show.
This piece is truly moving and hilarious. I left the show crying and then laughing and then all over again. Aldous’ writing is magical, touching but not lingering too long to make us too thoughtful. Back in with the sensational humour, a humour that is hard to recreate- it just is connected to his inner being.
The production was taken to new heights with the crisp and beautifully simple light and sound design. With the supporting role being one of an Alexa, the tech holds a lot of responsibility. Every cue was crisp and keeping up beautifully to Aldous’ cheerful pace.
A wonderful example of London life; joyful, painful, addictive. I hope for nothing but the best in this show’s run.
Playing until 12th July, https://www.omnibus-clapham.org/get-happy/
Reviewer: Alice Rose
Reviewed: 3rd July 2025
North West End UK Rating:
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