A Short Cut to Happiness at Therry Theatre

A joyous new comedy from New Zealand's best loved playwright Roger Hall.

A Short Cut to Happiness is a love story.

A Russian immigrant Natasha can’t work as a teacher because her English is limited, so she tries to improve her income, and language skills, by running dance classes.

Ned's life is just tickety-boo. Sure, he's adjusting to retirement and life on his own, but he's very comfortable with his lot, thank you very much. All that changes with his offer to sort out the financial woes of Natasha.

A new world of possibilities opens up for Ned as he sees through foreign eyes. Ned, one of Natasha’s pupils, seems to have answers to at least some of her problems, but his innate decency and Natasha’s fierce determination turn the path to happiness into an obstacle course. She gives us the incisive outsider perspective as a Russian immigrant opening the way for the inevitable literal language misunderstandings.

This is a story of loveable losers bonding over desperation and common interests.  In turn it becomes a nice plug for the re-establishment and value of community education.

The characters bicker, cheat, love and paint a portrait of middle class issues and concerns. The dance sequences choreographed by Rose Vallen are enthusiastic and energetic.

Packed with Roger Hall's trademarks of acute observation and bucket-loads of humour, A Shortcut To Happiness at Adelaide's Therry Theatreis about discovering the ways of a new country, accepting differences, finding love and dancing your way to happiness.

Production team:

Director – Kerrin White

Stage Manager – Jo Pankhurst

Set Design - Don Oswald and Kerrin White

Starring:

Deborah Walsh as Laura

Frank Cwiertniak as Seb

Gigi Jeffers as Janet

Julie Quick as Coral

Lindsay Dunn as Ned

Greg Janzow as Ray

Shelley Crooks as Natasha

Sue Wylie as Bev

Location: The Arts Theatre – 53 Angus Street, Adelaide

Dates and Times:

Wednesday 10^th April 2024 Preview Night 7:30 pm (Note $10 tickets)

Thursday 11^th April 2024 and Friday 12^th April 2024 7:30 pm

Matinees Saturday 13^th April 2024  at 2 p.m.and Sunday  14^th April 2024  at 2 p.m.

Wednesday 17^th April 2024 to Saturday 20^th April 2024 at 7:30 pm

(Third Matinee) Matinee Saturday 20^th April 2024 at 2 p.m.

Bookings and ticketing inquiries Mon to Fri, 10 am to 5 pm (Lorraine): 8271 8487

Bookings: www.trybooking.com or via Therry Theatre website.

Tickets can also be booked via phone on 0411924566