A double bill of two shows in one night, from cult multi-award winning musical-comedians Jonny & The Baptists.
Are you happy? We can help!
After their critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Jonny & The Baptists (Jonny Donahoe and Paddy Gervers) will take their hilarious and poignant new show The Happiness Index on a UK tour in 2025. This witty musical comedy will explore the connections between personal tragedy, government austerity, and mental health. Having already received rave reviews for its mix of comedy, post-modern absurdity, and raw emotional honesty, the show will feature the duo’s signature anthemic musical numbers.
Jonny Donahoe (Stop UKIP, Anna/Anastasia) joins forces with Paddy Gervers (Stop UKIP, Making Paddy Happy, Lefty Scum) and together they bring their signature emotional depth and theatrical innovation to the production.
The Happiness Index takes aim at the impact of fourteen years of Conservative rule, five increasingly chaotic Tory Prime Ministers, and the consequences of unrestrained capitalism on mental health. Structured around five acts, each reflecting the tenures of these Prime Ministers, it explores the political turbulence and societal impact of their time in power. In a country where it’s almost impossible to get a GP appointment, yet oddly easy to buy a healing vaginal egg from Gwyneth Paltrow, finding happiness feels increasingly out of reach. The show explores themes of mental health, grief, and resilience, drawing from Jonny and Paddy’s own experiences, including Paddy’s ongoing struggle with depression and the barriers imposed by austerity in accessing mental health support.
In most venues, there’ll be a second show – a TBD Work-in-Progress – after The Happiness Index, with an interval in between. Led by the duo’s personable nature, the WIP will invite those in attendance to join in. It will be about half the length of the main show and will have a relaxed, fun atmosphere. The company hopes the audience will stay, as they believe the viewers are integral to the process of creating their work.
At its core, The Happiness Index is a show about friendship, coping together, and the deep interconnections between mental health, politics, and personal tragedy. It tells the story of surviving the chaos of the world while finding moments of connection, humour, and humanity in the darkest of times.
Listings
The Happiness Index: Friday 21st February
artsdepot 5 Nether Street, North Finchley, London, N12 0GA
Tickets: Book online - artsdepot
All Tour Dates: Jonny & The Baptists Tickets and Dates
Further Information: HOME | Jonny & The Baptists