UNEXPECTED JOY is the story of three generations of female singers, long-held family tensions and a week together where change is in the air – Joy, a baby boomer pop star, is visited by her daughter, Rachel and granddaughter Tamara. Rachel is married to a prominent televangelist, so Joy is reluctant to divulge that she’s planning to marry Lou, another singer who happens to be a woman. A week with all four together is bound to lead to tension, laughter, discoveries and happiness that really is unexpected. Let the sparks and music fly!
Ran At
Southwark Playhouse
Open Date: 5 Sep 18 to 29 Sep 18
Southwark Playhouse Theatre Company was founded in 1993 by Juliet Alderdice, Tom Wilson & Mehmet Ergen. They identified the need for a high quality accessible theatre which would provide opportunities for the best emerging companies and practitioners, and also act as a major resource for the local community. They leased a disused workshop in a then...
Cast members
View all
Related News and Features
2018
What does Unexpected Joy tell us about healing society's divisions? Watch Faves founder Terri Paddock's post-show Q&A
If you follow political news from the US, you'll know that Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh is generating headlines for all sorts of reasons. Closer to home, the implications of America's highest court of justice shifting to the right was also discussed in Faves founder Terri Paddock's recent post-show Q&A at UNEXPECTED JOY... as well as embracing love, and joy, in all its forms, finding common ground through musical theatre and much else...
2018
Critics are raving about... Unexpected Joy at Southwark Playhouse
It's time for the women to shine! UNEXPECTED JOY is stealing hearts and changing minds at the Southwark Playhouse this month and it's not just audiences who have been won over. The critics are raving about this heartwarming musical about the power of love, family and acceptance. Don't believe us? See for yourself...
2018
First Night Takeover: Unexpected Joy at Southwark Playhouse
Our #FirstNightTakeover series continues with Perry O'Bree at the European premiere of UNEXPECTED JOY, headlining this year's From Page to Stage festival of new musicals at London's Southwark Playhouse. Did Perry feel the family love in this tale of tolerance and three generations of female singers? Did he bond with young star Kelly Sweeney, who plays granddaughter Tamara?
2018
West End performers line up to take part in this year's From Page to Stage festival
As rehearsals begin for Aria Entertainment’s prestigious festival of new musical theatre, From Page To Stage, returning for a sixth successful year and featuring seven new shows, we fill you in on everything you need to know – including all the full casting details.
2018
'We'll know we're really getting there when people no longer ask what it feels like to be in an all-female cast': Janet Fullerlove on Unexpected Joy
When should we stop commenting on all-female shows? How can we be more tolerant in our own families? Should you be suspicious when someone says they're going for a week? Janet Fullerlove, who takes the title role in the European premiere of UNEXPECTED JOY, answers our questions...
Are you a fan? leave your comment