Happy Ending

I like plays. And I like Melbourne. So it make sense that I’m rather fond of Happy Endings, Melissa Reeves’ little cracker of a play all my hometown.

Louise (Nell Feeney) kicks off the MTC’s latest by regaling the audience with a litany her past sexual exploits, including bedding a 55 year old when she was only 15. However these days are long behind her, and now middle-aged Louise is a mother in suburban Melbourne who spends her time at Northland pursing a crush on Wen, her much younger Chinese masseuse. When Louise makes a ham-fist attempt at seducing Wen that horribly, hilariously backfires, Happy Ending really gets swinging.

What starts as a middle-aged woman’s fantasies expands to a look at contemporary, suburban Australia. Reeves’ lively script is peppered with local references such as Derryn Hinch’s health, the Supertax and K-Rudd, Happy Ending is an enjoyable foray that looks at some deeper social issues, but never at the expense of a good laugh.

Christopher Connelley is outstanding as the bullish, homosexual mining investor Dave, but Fanny Hanusin steals the show as Jie, Wen’s boss, matriarch and head gossip at the massage parlour. The scenes where Jie she verbally lacerates her clientele in rapid-fire Mandarin while massaging them and smiling are the play’s best.

So if you like plays, and Melbourne, you’ll like Happy Ending.

Venue Southbank Theatre, The Lawler
Season dates 5 September to 22 September 2024
Tickets from $40; Under 30s just $25
Booking details Southbank Theatre Box Office 03 8688 0800 or mtc.com.au