It is directed by Thea Sharrock, recently represented by her production of Rattigan's After the Dance at the National, who will also shortly direct Rattigan's Cause Celebre for the Old Vic in April, and will revive her production of Coward's Blithe Spirit at the West End's Apollo in March.
In press materials, Ruby Wax comments, "A while back you couldn't mention you were gay, then came the 'C' word (cancer) and not so long ago you couldn't even say you were a witch. Now the big stigma is mental illness which is weird because one in four of us has got it." From the point of view as one in the one in four, Wax's show discusses the toxins of our time - envy, fame, television, the insatiable drive to win, getting rich, getting the perfect body, marriage, kids, career and, above all, staying busy while looking like you're having a nice day. This is why we all, at one point in our lives, feel like we're about to go under or, in Ruby's case, fall off a cliff. She adds, "My husband took me to the Priory [a well-known U.K rehabilitation centre]. We had a little insurance so I could stay for an hour. At lunch I stole food from the anorexics, they didn't mind."
Wax, who has worked with the BBC for over 25 years, is best known for her documentaries, comedy and interview shows. She performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company for five years, was script editor for the BBC's "Absolutely Fabulous," and is a travel writer, a journalist and actress. She has also studied psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and is currently undertaking her Master's at Oxford University, studying the mind. She is also facilitating leadership groups in finance, telecommunications and internet companies, amongst others, to improve their communication skills.
She is joined by Welsh singer-songwriter Judith Owen, best known to UK audiences as the voice of Richard Thompson's "1000 Years of Popular Music." Drawing upon her life-long battle with depression, Owen believes in creating poignancy out of pain. It is this sentiment that lays the foundation for her latest album, "The Beautiful Damage Collection," which also features many of the songs from "Ruby Wax - Losing It."
Ruby Wax - Losing It is produced by Chocolate Factory Productions in conjunction with MJE Productions, and 35 pence from every ticket sold for the show will be donated to Comic Relief to contribute to their work with members of the community affected by mental health issues. To book tickets, contact the box office on 020 7907 7060, or visit www.menierchocolatefactory.com for more details.
