All The Happy Things Tour Opens in Bristol
New play to open at Bristol Old Vic this spring
A dark comedy exploring grief through a Global Majority lens, comes to Bristol Old Vic this March.
All The Happy Things has been making waves since it had its world premiere at Soho Theatre last year.
Written by Naomi Denny, the play launches its spring tour right here in Bristol, kicking off in the Weston Studio of Bristol Old Vic.
All the Happy Things looks at the powerful bond between siblings and the complexities of grief. It asks how we truly let go of someone you thought would be there forever?
Sienna is struggling with grief, dealing with it by clinging onto her dead sister. But she’s seeing her wherever she goes. They have full on conversations. But eventually, it becomes overwhelming, encompassing all areas of her life.
Since last year’s premiere, the play has undergone further development. The new touring production is directed by Aaliyah McKay with dramaturgy from the original production’s director Lucy Jane Atkinson.
Playwright Naomi Denny stars as Sienna alongside fellow original cast member Dejon Mullings.
“All The Happy Things came from wanting to explore loss without telling a sad story – to focus instead on the joy, humour and deep bond that exists between siblings, and the unique relationship that comes from it,” Naomi Denny says.
“The relationship between Emily and Sienna is inspired by my relationship with my older sister and the shared experiences so many of us recognise: the bickering, the in-jokes, the memories that only you know, and the love that makes it impossible to let each other go.”
Last year the play picked up nominations for two Fringe Theatre Awards – that of New Writing and Lead Performance. It was also shortlisted as a finalist for the Tony Craze Award 2025. This is an award recognising emerging playwrights from the Soho Theatre’s Writer’s Lab Programme.
Continuing, Naomi says: “I’m really excited to share the play with Bristol audiences. I look forward to seeing how people relate to the story, explore the universality of experience that is having a sibling, and celebrate stories of family, resilience and sisterhood.”
Naomi first became a member of the Soho Theatre Writers’ Lab back in 2020. She was the first of Tamasha Theatre Company’s artist mentorship programme and is currently a member of Hampstead Theatre’s Inspire programme.
One of her previous plays – Essentially Black – is currently being adapted for television.
All The Happy Things is being produced by Steph Hartland of SH Productions.
Steph calls the play a “powerful piece of theatre,” saying she can’t wait to see how Bristol audiences “connect” with the characters and their relationships.
All The Happy Things will be in the Weston Studio of Bristol Old Vic from 10 – 14 March 2025
For more information or to book, visit: https://bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/all-the-happy-things
Cast and Creatives
Sienna – Naomi Denny
Sam: Dejon Mullings
Writer: Naomi Denny
Director (touring production) – Aaliyah McKay
Producer – SH Productions
Designer – Delyth Evans
Sound Designer – Eamonn O’Dwyer
Assistant Director – Isabella Foreshaw
Production Manager – Carrie Croft
Technical Stage Manager – Lauren Dalboth
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