“Sally’s a happy person. She doesn’t let little things get her down and almost never cries. But she’s got an illness. It makes her feel like she isn’t the person she wants to be…”
A fun, silly and sad show for anyone whose brain isn’t always on their side.
Music, lyrics and musical direction by MFJ.
Book and lyrics by Jon Brittain.
Super Happy Story was commissioned in 2016, and developed at FRÜIT Hull, New Diorama, Greenwich Theatre and The HUB Leeds. The official première took place at the Edinburgh Fringe (Pleasance) in 2017.
The award-winning production transferred to the VAULT Festival and has twice toured the UK, including HighTide Festival.
In 2021 the show was filmed at Wilton’s Music Hall for digital broadcast via stream.theatre.
The international première, at 59E59 Theaters New York as part of “Brits Off Broadway,” was announced for April 2020 but cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“A beautifully developed, deeply moving exploration of depression”
★★★★★ British Theatre Guide
“Almost unbearably catchy songs… hilarious, uplifting and insightful”
★★★★★ Three Weeks
“Jones does a stellar job here”
★★★★★ The Upcoming
“Enrapturing… You’d be hard pushed to find a better musical at this year’s Fringe”
★★★★★ What’s On Stage
“Beautiful, spine-tingling show”
★★★★ The List
“Wonderfully witty songs… brilliantly captures the way depression strikes”
★★★★ The Scotsman
“Puts a smile on your face and a tear in your eye”
★★★★ The Stage
“A mix of wit and low key emotion that suddenly grips you by your heart”
The Guardian
☆ Winner, Fringe First Award
☆ Winner, Musical Theatre Review Award for Best Musical
☆ Winner, KSF Artists of Choice Award for UK Musical Theatre
☆ Nominee, Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award
☆ Nominee, Holden Street Theatre Award
☆ Nominee, Mental Health Fringe Award
☆ Nominee, Off West End Award for Best Musical
Directed by Alex Mitchell. Originally produced by Silent Uproar with Kevin Spacey Foundation in association with Hull UK City of Culture 2017 and LittleMighty, with support from New Diorama, CHCP Foundation, Unity Theatre Trust, Hull Truck and American Chip Spice. Tour produced by Martin Atkinson for Silent Uproar. Digital performance co-produced by Seabright Productions. Movement directed by Jon Beney. Set: Alex Brook, Amy Jane Cook. Lighting by Adam Foley. Sound by Ed Clarke. Production & stage management: Jon Calvert, Adam Foley. Costume: Amy Jane Cook, Natalie Young. Production assistance: Natalie Young. Artistic support: David Byrne, James Stanyer. Performed by Madeleine MacMahon, Sophie Clay & Ed Yelland.
Playtext published by Bloomsbury.
Images by Richard Davenport & Sam Taylor.