Get Happy

Physical comedy, live music, acrobatics, silly dancing and audience interaction all feature in this 'madcap little gem' (Time Out) which will have you and your little ones laughing out loud.

Enter a world of artfully controlled chaos as this show for curious babies, kids and adults of all ages returns to the Barbican. There’s a mysterious bag that drops from a height. Shoes have magical powers. And the strangest egg sandwich is made in front of your eyes.

Inspired by work of Charlie Chaplin, Dr Seuss and Pina Bausch, Get Happy is an unexpected variety performance, bursting with quirky playfulness and off-the-wall humour.

Told by an Idiot explore the human condition through theatre that is bigger than life. Their critically acclaimed shows have toured the UK and internationally. This 10th anniversary production is dedicated to a true Idiot, Stephen Harper (1967-2022).

Running time: approximately 50 minutes, no interval

Suitable for all ages, from 0 to 100!

This performance contains haze, loud noises and water splashing.

Accessible performances
All performances are relaxed. Get Happy has very little scripted speech. There may be occasional spoken ad libs.

A Visual Story for the show will be made available here ahead of opening.

BSL-interpreted performances by Paul Michaels
Wed 13 Dec at 10am
Sat 16 Dec at 10am

Watch the BSL trailer.

Find out more about Accessible Events at the Barbican.

Members-only performance

Members are invited to a special performance on Sat 9 Dec, 12pm.

Presented by the Barbican

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Reviews

‘Anarchically inclusive joy... I now believe in the transformative power of theatre‘

The Sunday Times

‘Consistently funny. Applying its usual fresh, playful physicality, Told by an Idiot has come up with a quirky, upbeat show for children, which lives up to its name‘

The Stage

‘Madcap little gem‘

Time Out

Relaxed performances

A Relaxed performance is ideal for those who would benefit from a more informal approach to noise and movement in the auditorium or would feel more at ease knowing they could enter and exit freely.

Every performance of Get Happy is Relaxed. For this production that means:

- The house will be opened early to allow you more time to find your seats.

- The Front of House team are briefed on providing a more informal service and relaxing the standards in regard to audience behaviour during the performance.

- Latecomer and re-admittance points will be relaxed to allow people to leave and re-enter the auditorium more freely.

- The house lights will remain slightly raised to during the performance to ensure your safety if you need to move about.

- Auditorium doors will be kept open during the performance to assist you in entering and exiting the theatre during the performance.

- The performers are briefed about Relaxed performances and know that you may need to move around and make noise.

- A quiet chill out space is provided with comfortable seating.

- This production is suitable for babes in arms

- The performance has not been sensory adapted.

Please get in touch with us if you would like to discuss further before making a booking.

Get Happy has very little scripted speech. There may be occasional spoken ad libs.

If you'd like more information, contact the Theatre team at [email protected]

Watch the BSL trailer.

Find out more about Accessibility at the Barbican.