Yorkshire comedian goes from studio flat shows in mental health low point to debut national tour

In the show, Rich shares the highs and lows of his life, revealing how his mental illnesses affect him. Silly Boy explores themes such as anorexia, bipolar disorder, self-harm, and heroin abuse. But as dark as the subjects may be, the show, he says, is a celebration of “the interesting, riotous, and sometimes shocking things” his brain is capable of doing.

"I mean, I do talk about some heavy stuff, but the show is very light-hearted and upbeat because that is my nature - I am not a heavy person. I wanted the show to reflect me, and for you to have the same feeling you would if you met me in real life. And despite the subject matter, it's about the story of my life and the hero's journey I’ve been on, so it has a feel-good ending. I’ve been told that when you come out, it leaves you wanting to punch the air. And it leaves you feeling a little bit kinder and more connected to humanity.”

Rich says ‘professional idiot’ felt like an obvious path for him. “I was a mad little kid, bouncing off the walls, couldn’t concentrate. From the age of 12, I just gave up at school. I just had a good time...and I left with no GCSEs. All the people I admired - Jim Carey, Robin Williams, were funny and unhinged and seemed to make a lot of money and I thought I’m unhinged, why don’t I do that?”

A balaclava-clad Rich was flyposting in Soho for a sketch character show he was doing with his friend when he was signed to an agent who had seen the posters. But this debut tour actually grew form a manic depressive episode in 2017 which saw him trapped in his house for two years. In a bid to rehabilitate himself, he started performing in his studio flat where he would invite people in to hear him talk about his issues using humour.

Soon, his floor, bed and kitchen were crammed full and Rich instead took his show to the Camden Comedy Club, where he was offered a residency. Within 16 months, he was selling out shows in London and New York. Since debuting at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe last year, Rich has performed at the Dynasty Typewriter in Los Angeles, as well as a psychological research institute in Bristol, and an NHS Conference. "To view things through a funny, silly lens as much as you can really takes the sting out,” says Rich. “To talk about the worst parts of your life and get a roar of laughter is very healing.”

Rich Hardisty is in York on April 18 and Knaresborough on May 13. Visit www.richhardisty.com/