CRACKING UP – creating laughter from madness
Wednesday, April 7, 2010 Cracking Up is an innovative comedy show coming to the Soho Theatre, London W1 on 19 and 27 April at 8pm, following hit performances across London and Surrey in 2009.
This hugely entertaining show takes a light hearted look at when life gives you a bit of a kicking. Hosted by professional comedian John Ryan (winner of the Edinburgh Highlight Award), it stars comedian Gareth Berliner and actors Sean Kearney and Jason Webb. Sketches are written by Michael Wicherek, Artistic Director Box Clever Theatre (based on research with and contributions from people with experience of mental health conditions).
The show has received outstanding plaudits from previous audiences and media critics:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8329828.stm
The show (developed by NHS Surrey) sets out to lift the lid on mental health using a sensitive combination of comedy and drama sketches. The shows on 19 and 27 April are timed either side of National Depression Awareness Week - a campaign run by the Depression Alliance.
This show helps open the door for people to talk about and seek help if they experience problems (through the storyline of the sketches, the personal account of one comedian, and leaflets about local services that people can take away with them). It also helps to challenge stigma by showing how common mental health problems can affect anyone, and by bringing people with experience of mental ill health in contact with the public.
John Ryan says: “Comedy is a great way of tackling issues that people may not ordinarily want to talk about. I know from shows I’ve done in the past around men’s health in, that they are able to laugh at themselves and recognise they could be a lot better at asking for help”.
|
SHOW DETAILS
|
For more information please contact:- Maya Twardzicki–Producer Email: mayapolish@hotmail.com Tel: 077290 18264