Michael Attenborough will direct the UK premiere of Neil LaBute’s romantic comedy Reasons To Be Happy at the Hampstead Theatre this March.
Written as a companion piece to the acclaimed playwright’s Reasons To Be Pretty, which played in London in 2011 starring Billie Piper and was also directed by Attenborough, the witty drama will play at the Hampstead venue from 17 March to 16 April.
In a similar vein to Reasons To Be Pretty, Reasons To Be Happy centres on the lives and loves of four friends. On the search for that elusive goal to be truly happy, each are struggling to work out exactly who might help them on the journey.
Three years after a difficult breakup, Steph and Greg are wondering if they can start again. The trouble is, she’s now married to someone else and he’s started a relationship with Carly, her best friend. Meanwhile, Carly’s ex-husband Kent wants her back, even more so when he finds out about her new romance with Greg, his best friend.
Who will play this troublesome – and clearly confused – set of bed swapping friends is yet to be confirmed.
Announced alongside the production is details of Hampstead Theatre’s second annual drama and literary festival, which will pop up for a three day residency during Reasons To Be Happy’s run from 18 to 20 March.
Featuring a packed schedule of talks, panel discussions and workshops, theatre fans will have the chance to attend more than 30 events featuring high profile theatremakers working today.
Highlights of the festival include author Kate Mosse interviewing playwright David Hare, a talk with Darcey Bussell, a workshop with MAC makeup, a look at how to get published with participants including Mosse and Meera Syal, and an interview with choreographer Matthew Bourne.
Full details of the festival can be found on the Hampstead Theatre website.