Interviews
Performing Anxiety draws on interviews with writers, performers, directors, producers and programmers across the UK, many of whom have done pioneering work in the field of arts and mental health in recent years.
You can read and listen to full length interviews on this page.
Ross Mackay
Ross Mackay talks about exploring his experiences of depression through directing theatre shows and writing children’s books.
Robyn Jancovich Brown
Producer Robyn Jancovich Brown talks about working with vulnerable artists and ‘putting people before project outcomes’.
Sabra Khan
Sabra Khan, producer of BEDLAM Arts and Mental Health Festival, talks about programming mental health themed work.
Felicity Ward
The Australian comedian on what she needs to consider when telling jokes about her experiences of depression and anxiety.
Clare Prenton
Playwright Clare Prenton talks about the creation of Men Don’t Talk, a theatre show about men’s mental health.
Stephanie Katie Hunter
Stephanie Katie Turner, artistic director of Scissor Kick, talks about the challenges of producing shows in which artists explore mental health.
Sinead O’Brien
The Irish storyteller talks about the making of No One is Coming, which explores growing up with a parent who has a severe mental illness.
Robert Softley Gale
Robert Softley Gale of Birds of Paradise theatre company shares his thoughts on mental health and accessibility.
Selina Thompson
The acclaimed theatre-maker discusses what artists, producers and programmers need to understand when it comes to making work about mental health.
Mariem Omari: Part Two
Writer and producer Mariem Omari talks about the challenges of making participatory work with vulnerable groups.
Mariem Omari: Part One
Writer and producer Mariem Omari talks about the challenges of making theatre shows based on real people’s traumatic experiences.
the vacuum cleaner
James Leadbitter, aka the vacuum cleaner, talks about working on participatory arts projects with groups of vulnerable young people.
Amy Conway
Amy Conway talks about what she learned from making an autobiographical show about her mental health.
Tracy Gentles
Tracy Gentles, CEO of Sick! Festival, discusses the role of leadership in supporting artistic work about mental health.
Bryony Kimmings: Part Two
Live artist Bryony Kimmings discusses making an epic solo show about the worst year of her life.
Bryony Kimmings: Part One
Live artist Bryony Kimmings shares what she learned from making a show about her partner Tim’s struggle with depression.
Caitlin Skinner
Caitlin Skinner, CEO of Stellar Quines, talks about the challenges of creating a culture of wellbeing in an arts organisation.
Caroline Horton
Caroline Horton talks about exploring her own struggles with anorexia and depression in her theatre shows Mess and All of Me.
Dave Chawner
Comedian and mental health campaigner Dave Chawner reflects on opening up about anorexia on stage.
Juliette Burton
Comedian and activist Juliette Burton talks about the benefits, and dangers, of talking about mental health on stage.
Nye Russell Thompson
Nye Russell Thompson of theatre company StammerMouth talks about exploring intrusive thoughts in his award-winning show Choo Choo!
Laura Horton
Playwright Laura Horton talks about addressing her own compulsive hoarding behaviours in her award-winning play Breathless.
Performing Anxiety
A resource for people who want to make audience-facing or participatory arts projects about mental health.
