Happy Families by John Godber

HAPPY FAMILIES

by John Godber

(Contains some adult themes.)

This is a semi-autobiographical play by the widely acclaimed playwright who has thrilled many theatregoers with his hilarious but poignant observational humour. Set in Northern England, it is full of warmth, understanding and comedy; it is an affectionate and appealing portrait of an ordinary family struggling with change, bereavement, and the generation gap. On his graduation day in 1978, John looks back over his teenage years, from 1967-1973, recalling all the embarrassments, tensions, joys and sorrows of family life in West Yorkshire. Older and better educated, he finds himself alienated from his working-class family who cannot understand his growing intellect and theatrical aspirations.