NHS psychiatrist, award-winning comedian and Sunday Times best-selling author of ‘You Don’t Have To Be Mad To Work Here’, Dr Benji Waterhouse is going on his first book tour. ‘You Don’t Have To Be Mad To Work Here’ was released via Vintage/Penguin in May to critical acclaim.
The tour takes in 10 dates and starts on 10th May at Leicester’s The Big Difference and ends on 5th June at Bath’s Komedia.
“The response to my book has been very surreal. From being No.2 in The Sunday Times best-seller list to being enjoyed by natural treasures like Jo Brand. But most special has been the response from patients who have said things like “Dr Waterhouse should you really be using full names, date of births and NHS numbers?” Joking aside, it’s been incredible and I can’t wait to connect with readers in person on my first tour. The show will be a combination of stand-up, storytelling and chapter readings followed by a Q&A which is probably your best chance to speak to an NHS psychiatrist, without the 12-month waiting list”. DR BENJI
Combining his stand-up skills, storytelling and anecdotal chapter readings, Dr Benji unlocks the doors to the psych ward and answers life’s big questions. What’s the secret to happiness? What’s the best way to escape from a psychiatric hospital? And what is the difference between a psychiatrist, a psychologist and a psychic?
Most of the psychiatric cases in his book are his patients. Some of them are family. One of them is him. Why would anyone in their right mind choose to be a psychiatrist? Are the solutions to people’s messy lives really within medical school textbooks? And how can vulnerable patients receive the care they need when psychiatry lacks staff, hospital beds and any actual cures? ‘You Don’t Have to Be Mad to Work Here’ explores these complicated questions from both sides of the doctor’s desk.
Dr Benji Waterhouse is a front-line NHS doctor specialising in psychiatry based in London. He is also an award-winning stand-up comedian who performs sell-out shows at the Edinburgh Festival. He has written for the Guardian and Independent and was included in a list of 'Inspiring Psychiatrists’ by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. He has a special interest in psychedelic research and worked on the ground-breaking study featured in the BBC documentary ‘The Psychedelic Drug Trial’. You Don’t Have to Be Mad to Work Here was acquired by Penguin in a nine-way with the TV rights already sold to the BBC Studio’s owned House Productions.
As a comedian he made a splash in 2014 winning the Beat the Frog World Series and was also a finalist in So You Think You’re Funny?, Leicester Square New Act and he has twice been shortlisted for the BBC New Comedy Award. He is also a resident host for the international storytelling night The Moth in London.
TOUR DATES
MAY
Sat 10th LEICESTER – The Big Difference (formerly The Cookie)
Sun 11th SHEFFIELD – Leadmill
Wed 14th BRIGHTON – The Old Market
Fri 16th HEXHAM – Queens Hall Centre
Sat 17th EDINBURGH - Traverse
Sun 18th SALFORD – Lowry Studio
Sat 24th EXETER – Barnfield Theatre
Sun 25th BIRMINGHAM – Glee Studio
Fri 30th CANTERBURY – Gulbenkian Theatre
JUNE
Wed 4th BRISTOL – Redgrave Theatre
Thurs 5th BATH – Komedia
TICKETS GO ON SALE 10.00AM FRIDAY 22ND NOVEMBER HERE.
Watch Benji Waterhouse below
