It did cross my mind how an event such as this could work as a fundraiser, what with the simple but constant problem of budgets, but the comment was made during the evening that this was an awareness raiser – and as that, this show works. It works well. 

It can’t fail to make its audience aware of mental health issues as there is nothing else on offer but knowing that’s what you’re there for makes this far from a ‘too much information’ event. In fact quite early on you become intrigued as to how we’re going to be entertained. How many ways are there to make us ‘aware’ of the same thing? 

Theatre, dance, stand up, visual art, song – it’s all at the Q for a good cause and the producers have managed to create a smart, clever piece of variety that ticks the ‘inform and entertain’ boxes and makes you think.

Rob Callaghan opens the show, thankfully telling us he’s not there as an MC to spoon feed us, and briefs us on the evening. Mental Health issues are subjective. They are what they are to each individual. A description for one is a degrading label for another – in fact writing this I feel that I’m going to use the wrong words somewhere. Callaghan, though, diffuses our fears immediately with a show of hands from ‘the nutters amongst us’, and quickly explains his own experience, thereby giving himself permission to label. And we’re off.

The performers are dedicated and display a mature, professional attitude. The mini plays speed along, with various degrees of skill and finesse, interspersed with stand up.  

The writings range from amusing to brilliant, from direct assaults on our pre-conceived ideas to subtle and creative musings. All aim to dispel any myths and stereotypes we may have carried with us into the theatre.

N.O.T (Negatively Orientated Therapy) is a particular powerful satire on positive/negative thinking and produces two stand out performances from Aidee Walker and Andrew Munro.

Sheree Veysey makes her mark as a writer of talent (and of the night) with two pieces, Terribly Unwell and Making Sense; the later co written with Laura Ashton, being a well executed, thought-provoking backward glance at ourselves. Excellent.

Mature rapper John Carr surprises more than a few of us (bang: there goes another stereotype) with his easy style and lyrics and Tevita Manukia does well with the graveyard shift at the conclusion of the show. He manages to keep it fresh, and keep us laughing, long after many shows would have died and begged to be put to bed.

The resident session band made up of Stewart Allan, Dylan Elise, Owen Woodward and David Bamford provides songs and link music throughout the night.

The evening is set in and around a design by Malcolm Dale, (built by Solomon Briscoe). A puzzle of chairs and tables mazed into a model of a brain is inspired and a piece of art in itself. (This would have got my tick in the audience choice awards).

It’s unclear who is responsible for logistics for the running of the show and its order but if I mention Taimi Allan (Producer/Creative Director) and Alice Kirker (Stage Manager), I’m sure I have it covered.

There was love and support last night for those up on stage giving their time and talent. It would take too long to mention all fifty plus performers and those involved backstage and would merely dilute the effect they had on us by listing them for the sake of it. They should all be proud and take it to heart when I say the evening as a whole was superb, enjoyable and moving – a result unobtainable unless they all cared.

So did they dispel myths? Did they explode stereotypes? Did we all leave thinking differently? In a way, yes, we all left with it on our mind, but – and this is a criticism of the human race in general – it won’t be until mental health affects us directly on a personal level that many of us will actually take that next step towards education on the subject. This observation was made last night but again it won’t sink in until it hits home. ’Twas ever thus.

Special mention to Producer and Creative Director Taimi Allan who not only added her vocals to the live music but will have breathed a sigh of relief at last night’s audience reaction. Her commitment and talent to the cause shine through and deserves a round of applause of her own. 

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