Happiness Ltd
by New Model Theatrecomedy, theatre
A new play about video games, ambition, depression and success. Written by Tom Nicholas, directed by Jo Newman.
about the production
When video game designer Vi broke up with Becky, she used what she knew. She wrote herself a list. A list of the little things. The everyday things. The achievable things. She turned piecing herself back together into a game. Just for her. When her rambunctious colleague Tyler begins to play along, however, he sees an opportunity. Not just to make money but perhaps to rid the world of depression once and for all. Happiness Ltd is a humorous new play which asks prescient questions about ambition, depression and how one measures the success, or otherwise, of a life. Developed with support
about the artist
Since 2013, we've looked to create theatre which engages in the changing world around it while keeping a very human element at its heart. After touring the UK with our critically acclaimed show Static in 2014, we looked to learn from some of the vibrant theatre communities we'd been privileged to visit with our work and begin to develop a sustainable small-scale theatre scene here in Plymouth. From this drive was born BETA, a bi-monthly scratch night, and Outpost, a three week pop-up theatre season in Plymouth's historic Royal William Yard. Our ongoing mission is create incredible theatre here in
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stage dimensions
width: 4 metres
height: 3 metres
depth: 4 metres
Staging
๏ Happiness Ltd is staged end on, however can be adapted to be performed to three sides.
๏ The set consists of three larger modules and three smaller cubes which, in total, are roughly the volume of the back of a transit van.
๏ Minimum performance space 4.5m x 4.5m.
๏ Minimum get in time of 4 hours.
๏ One venue technician required for get in and get out.
Sound
๏ PA and speakers.
๏ Sound desk with mini-jack input. All sound is played from QLab with the company providing a laptop.
Lighting
๏ Warm Wash
๏ Cold Wash
๏ Ideally, the ability for one further coloured wash achieved through application
We have had success among younger audiences and done well from engaging with local groups interested in video game, board game and comic book culture etc. However, as a piece of New Writing, we've also had strong responses from more "traditional" theatre audiences and "Dinner and a Show" segments interested in watching a more conventional piece of theatre.
There’s an incredible amount of energy in the performance—even the quieter scenes seem to fizz nervously
Happiness Ltd is an incredibly enjoyable watch: an innovative idea about inspiring ideas with strong performances and bags of energy
There’s a sweeping grandness to Happiness Ltd that makes it feel like a big, important story
We haven't previously engaged any specific activity to increase access but would be really open to discussion with venues as to how we might make this work in the future to allow as many people as possible to experience the show.
We can provide writing workshops either linked to the play itself or other activity venues are currently carrying out. Playwright and company AD Tom is an experienced workshop facilitator with Enhanced DBS, full PLI and up-to-date Safeguarding Training. We would usually look for £150 fee for such a workshop but can discuss as part of the wider show deal.
Ideally, £650/show but very open to negotiation. We will be submitting an application for an ACE project grant to support the tour but are very keen to evidence within this a significant confirmed income.
