Happy Playland - Series

For their fourth web series, creative collective The Candle Wasters shifted from using the plays of Shakespeare as inspiration, to an original story. Set in a children's indoor adventure playground, Happy Playland is a "queer rom-com musical" where employees cope with crushes, anxiety and life as digital natives. Neenah Dekkers-Reihana and Dani Yourukova (who both acted in Candle Wasters web series Bright Summer Night) play young lovers Billie and Zara. Billie is an agitated actress, while Cris is a social justice warrior. When the playground faces closure, the pair face upheaval. 

Okay kids: here's how it is: it's a scary world out there, and soon you'll be leaving the safety of our happy playland and fending for yourselves in the land of grown-ups. You'll be moving out, getting that job, paying that rent. Start saving now! I got three jobs just to keep up with the things I need: new phone, haloumi in the fridge every night. You don't think about these things...

– Cris (Jen Smith) dressed in a Kiwi costume, provides instructions in the ways of Happy Playland (Episode Four)

Key Cast & Crew

Jess Charlton

Cinematographer

Thomas Coppell

Producer

The Candle Wasters

Creator

Neenah Dekkers-Reihana

As: Billie Haare

Robbie Nicol

Writer

Minnie Grace

Writer, Producer (episode one, two, four, five, six, eight & nine)