DEVELOPMENT
In 2016 I lost my flatmate and friend to suicide. It came as a shock, I didn't know they felt that way. I have all these questions that will never be answer. Could I have helped? Should I have done more? What was it that made them do it?
I can't change what happened, but I can try and stop it happening to others. I've struggled myself with mental health issues and I've channeled my experience to write this musical. I want it to show how shit it is living with mental illness. I started writing it while still at university and the intention was to take it to the Edinburgh Fringe with Northumbria Drama society. This was all set up ready to go, when all of a sudden they cancelled everything. I think maybe because this is a really tough show. It's ugly, as it's meant to be. Whatever the reason, I now had a script and no backing. But I used this opportunity to make it better. I found funding through LNER's community team to fund a pilot of the show.
In March 2019, We opened! Many years of work, heartache and setbacks were finally all worth it! The cast were amazing, the band was amazing, it was all amazing. We had attracted some attention and Northern Pride wanted to produce another show. It was a great opportunity to be part of Prides' satellite events that take place throughout the year and with it came a much larger audience. This also gave it the opportuniity to further refine the show based on learnings form the pilot. The show re-opened in the amazing Northern Stage, Newcastle in May 2019.
Reviews
"At the end, various audience members who had experienced similar problems came up to the author. Some of these people were tearful. All felt the play had powerfully reached out to them. Not that much theatre can claim the same."
– British Theatre Guide
"The music also mixes it all up, some numbers plaintive and haunting, others punchy and in-your-face"
– British Theatre Guide
"Powerful emotions of a genuine issue feed a tale that needs to be said."
- British Theatre Guide
"At the end, after the applause, the audience didn’t move from their seats – they sat, talked to each other – some cried. But they were talking, and that’s the point."
- North East Theatre Guide
"My Mental Breakdown : A Musical is a beautiful, funny and honest account of the woes mental health can bring." – Woeman.co.uk
"A beautiful cast with a beautiful story to tell."
– Woeman.co.uk
"Beautifully crafted songs and music."
– Woeman.co.uk
"What a show - 10/10, Absolutely stunning and even did the impossible by being better than the last time!"
– an audience member
"A heart wrenching story, A fabulous performance, beautifully portrayed. A well deserved standing ovation."
– an audience member
We have since opened in London at Turbine Theatre.
Director/Producer -Max Kingdom
Movement Director - James Rosental
Assistant Producer - Rebecca Johnston
Music Producer - Jaco Melli
THE CAST
Playing the lead role of Toby. A young man struggling with personal demons.
Joshua Glenister
Playing the role of Jess, Toby's girlfriend who doesn't know how to help.
Ally Ambrose
Playing the role of Ruth. Toby's mum who tries to help but pushes him further away.
Justine Marie Mead
Playing the role of the Dark, the embodiment of all the bad thoughts and feelings