Jonny & The Baptists Announce THE HAPPINESS INDEX 2025 UK Tour

After their critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Jonny & The Baptists (Jonny  Donahoe and Paddy Gervers) will take their hilarious and poignant new show The Happiness  Index on a UK tour in 2025.

The musical comedy, which explores the links 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. 

Johnny Donahoe (Stop UKIP, Anna/Anastasia), celebrated for his work Every Brilliant Thing—a  global phenomenon that has captivated audiences at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Broadway and on West End stages—joins forces with Paddy Gervers (Stop UKIP, Making Paddy Happy,  Lefty Scum), 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 show has been developed alongside award-winning theatre-maker James  Rowland (Learning to Fly, Piece of Work, James Rowland Dies at The End of the Show) and  produced by Impatient Productions.

The Happiness Index takes aim at the impact of fourteen 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. This tour also marks a departure for  Jonny & The Baptists, as it's the first time they are not playing musical instruments on stage. This  decision is both creative and born of necessity, as Paddy is awaiting arm surgery in April 2025.  For the first time from the team, the show will feature a real set and lighting design, fully  committing to the theatricality of the production. 

Looking back on the journey of The Happiness Index to date, Jonny and Paddy shared their  thoughts on what's to come, 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. 

At its core, 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. 

Box Office Tickets are available from the theatre websites with full details  on https://jonnybaptists.seetickets.com/tour/jonny-the-baptists.

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