THIS is the Samuel Beckett play in which Winnie is buried first up to her waist and then her neck in scorched earth - literally a talking head.

To while away her waking hours Winnie talks, empties her handbag, talks, puts on her lipstick, prays, talks and talks...

Winnie has been played by a number of worthy actresses perhaps most notably by Billie Whitelaw who felt the play showed the human task of getting through the day. To that I would add - and life.

Beckett's plays are considered by many to be the most celebrated works associated with the Theatre of the Absurd.

Certainly at first flush there seems to be little more absurd than this trapped, garrulous woman twittering away to her monosyllabic husband, Willie. But it gradually becomes a painfully accurate picture of some people's lives.

Anny Tobin is excellent as the Octagon's Winnie. She succeeds in making us admire Winnie who is determined to keep cheerful despite her situation. But at the same time we can appreciate just why Willie is irritated by her and crawls into his "hole" for most of the time.

Richard Conway huffs and grunts believably as Willie and barks his infrequent replies to Winnie with conviction.

The role of Winnie is said to be one of the most difficult for an actress. Willie's part must be no sinecure either.

Happy Days has been described as a tragi/comedy. I find it a sad play even though it is about survival. Tobin brings out her character's essential melancholy despite her attempts at cheerfulness. Her "happy days" become such if Willie deigns to acknowledge her or she appreciates the sun on her body.

The actress's timing is immaculate as she rummages in her capacious bag for items to while away her time and stops herself from bringing them out too quickly because she realises these things have to last her for many hours.

Although Winnie sleeps sometimes that respite is not granted too freely as she is awoken frequently by a loud alarm. In the second act of the play she is weary but still has a spark of hope which flickers anew when the long-silent Willie makes another appearance. It is not clear when Willie reaches for a gun - yes another thing that has come out of that bag - whether he would turn it on himself on Winnie.

Designer Richard Foxton has succeeded in what I thought would be the impossible task of making earth and stones look interesting. Scattered among the stones are battered mirrors and other items which Winnie has used, revealing that Winnie's days are unchanging.

Kate Raper's stylish direction is flawless ensuring a thought-provoking and uncomfortably truthful production of a very difficult play. Doreen Crowther

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