As Long as They’re Happy

“As long as They’re Happy” is a 1950s satirical comedy written by Vernon Sylvaine. A West-End hit at the time it was filmed both in the UK and USA as a musical.

A stockbroker’s teenage daughter is bedazzled by the ‘Crying Crooner’ and stalking him results in his visiting the family home. All hell breaks out! This is the age of beatniks, teddy boys, jazz clubs and coffee bars. The eternal generation strife is in full play and teenage rebellion is rife. Their heroes are James Dean, Marlon Brando, Johnnie Ray and Elvis.

The peace of the household is further shattered when dull old Dad’s other two daughters from Paris and L.A. together with their oddball husbands crash on him for money. To complete his nightmare all the women in this lovelorn family including his younger, second wife and the dopey housemaid fall under the crooner’s spell.

Add in an Irish reporter, a crackpot German psychiatrist with his blonde bimbo girlfriend and bedlam is inevitable. “My daughters’ morals are at stake is the fatherly cry."

While not a traditional musical, in this Shoreside Theatre production there are a number of catchy songs in this exuberant generation game. A bit of nostalgia and great fun all the way.