one4review | On 04, Aug 2025

A cleverly put-together show exploring personal and professional challenges psychiatry is facing within a short-staffed, cash-strapped mental health service. Benji’s ability to turn sensitive personal experiences into a funny comedy act was impressive.

The show is a visual performance of his book ‘You Don’t Have to be Mad to Work Here’, and the audience is treated to live readings of the book. Patient identities are completely anonymised, and the storytelling of the patient’s presentation is handled delicately.

I gained a sense of the type of audience members from chatting to people in the queue outside. The show attracted many professionals who work in psychiatry in some capacity, including myself. It was refreshing for me to hear similarities in Benji’s stories, and I felt I could relate to a lot of what he had gone through both professionally and emotionally. Sometimes, to get through the working day, you need to find humour in some situations, and Benji shares his experiences gracefully.

The show does not have audience participation, but Benji kept the audience’s attention throughout, clearly a very good and confident speaker. Even when talking about the deep personal struggles, Benji keeps it lighthearted and funny. He is not afraid to show his vulnerability while poking fun at himself.

The show was completely sold out. After the show, there is the opportunity to buy a copy of Benji’s book. The show made me want to read the book and see how it concludes. If it continues to present similarly to how the show is portrayed, you’re in for a good read! Highly recommend, brilliantly emotive show!

*****

Reviewed by Tracey

Pleasance Courtyard – Beneath

17.00 (1hr)

Until 25 Aug (not 9 or 18)