Review: All The Happy Things – Bristol Old Vic
All The Happy Things is a beautiful exploration of grief and family connection
If your sister dies, you’re still a sister – but she’s no longer there. It’s a gaping hole which becomes filled with grief.
For Sienna, her sister Emily died a year ago. But she’s still there large as life. The big energy of her presence veers between comforting her in her loneliness and plain getting in the way during private moments with her partner.
By chance, they even share a birthday. A source of contention built on misunderstandings, the reason why revealing itself during the narrative.
All The Happy Things is written by Naomi Denny who also plays Sienna. It’s not explicitly stated whether Emily is a ghost or a manifestation of Sienna’s grief. You can choose your interpretation.
Whilst it has its bitter sweet moments and a warm yet emotional ending, the play focuses on joyful times. The fun and humour shared between siblings growing up. Literally all the happy things.
It’s the most ordinary and insignificant moments that can be the most important ones. Getting drunk and playing boardgames. Dancing along to TLC No Scrubs. Hiding objects in unusual and silly places to find at a later time.
Emily doesn’t want large photographs of her at a family gathering marking the anniversary of her death. She wants big photographs of animals. And tiny pictures of herself hidden in photographs for people to play Where’s Emily. No pretentious hors d’oeuvres but crumpets with peanut butter and jam.
All The Happy Things is a lovely and gentle piece of theatre.
Naomi Denny gives an elegant performance of Sienna. It’s perfectly observed quiet resilience.
Michaella Moore as Emily is just a big bag of fun. The sibling dynamic between the two actors is perfect. It feels real.
Gavin Dunn makes up the final actor in the three-hander. He’s the boyfriend who wants to get everything right, avidly researching grief TikToks.
He also excels as Kevin, Sienna’s boss. The kind of pretentious media accounts luvvie your hand just itches to slap.
Callum MacDonald’s lighting design echoes the emotion on the stage. Flashing during tense moments. A gentle blue replicating dream-like blue emergency services when its alluded to how Emily died.
What’s refreshing about the play is the absence of high drama. It’s not a cliched theatrical grief journey. It’s a story of rediscovery through loss. Who you are, who your sister was, what that means and how to find your way forwards.
All The Happy Things is on in the Weston Studio of Bristol Old Vic until 14 March 2026
For more information or to book, visit: https://bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/all-the-happy-things
Cast and Creatives
Naomi Denny
Michaella Moore
Gavin Dunn
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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