Jonny & The Baptists’ show

Karen Neville

Jonny & The Baptists are bringing The Happiness Index, exploring mental health, politics, and the chaos of modern life to South Street on February 22nd

After their critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Jonny & The Baptists are bringing their hilarious and poignant new show The Happiness Index to Reading as part of their UK tour.

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 celebrated for his work Every Brilliant Thin – a global phenomenon that has captivated audiences at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Broadway and on West End stages – join forces with Paddy Gervers known for his sharp, socially conscious performances across the UK. Together, they bring their signature emotional depth and theatrical innovation to the production.

Taking its title from David Cameron’s short-lived attempt to measure the happiness of Britain’s population, The Happiness Index takes aim at the impact of 14 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.

Jonny and Paddy say: “We are so excited to take this show on the road across the UK. It’s been an intense and meaningful process, and we can’t wait to share it with audiences everywhere. It’s a show that resonates with so many people, and we hope it leaves everyone feeling inspired and connected.” 

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. 

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.