Festival to explore links between comedy and mental health

Best Medicine event on the first anniversary of lockdown

A series of online events exploring the links between comedy and mental health is to be launched on the anniversary of the first lockdown.

Ruby Wax, Tim Key and Felicity Ward are among the comics taking part in the Best Medicine Festival, which aims to celebrate the way in which comedy can both destigmatise and raise awareness of mental health issues.

The festival kicks off on Tuesday March 23 with its keynote event: a panel discussion with comedians Ruby Wax, Kemah Bob, Ahir Shah, psychiatrist and comedian Dr Benji Waterhouse, comedian and Angel Comedy co-founder and psychotherapist Sarah Pearce, and chaired by Martin Willis.

They will talk about the impact of the last year on comedy and those who work in it, what needs to change in the industry to support mental health, as well as the impact and expectations of 'sad clowns' and soul-baring solo shows.

On Saturday March 27, a gala comedy show featuring Tim Key, Sindhu Vee, Jordan Brookes, Felicity Ward, Ahir Shah and hosted by Barry Ferns will raise money for various mental health charities.

In addition, a number of solo comedy shows about mental health will be streamed across the week, including performances from Bobby Mair and Bethany Black, although this scheduled has not yet been released. Organisers will also offer suggestions for further viewing

There will also be a series of workshops, including daily guided meditations and a session on financial advice, will also help the thousands of performers, venue staff, bookers and more affected by the lockdown. The full schedule is on the Best Medicine Festival website.

The festival has been put together by promoters Angel Comedy and Objectively Funny, and is been sponsored by broadcaster Dave.

Dave channel director Luke Hales said: ‘The team at Dave know that this past year has been tough for many in the industry and we hope that we will soon, once again, be back searching for exciting new talent on the live comedy circuit. In the meantime, we are pleased to be working with The Best Medicine Festival.’

All events will be ticketed on a ‘pay what you can’ basis so nobody is priced out of taking part.

Published: 11 Mar 2021

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