Damien Hickson

Why So Serious is a performance based on the synthesis of literary clowns, such as the Joker and Sid from Ruby Moon, that highlights the stigma as outcasts for those with psychiatric disorders and how mental illness is consistently misrepresented and misunderstood. The paradox of the 'sad clown' relies on the idea that their role is to make people laugh, and yet many struggle with mental health in real life and hide a deep, ingrained sadness. This monologue builds the story of one clown who reveals how society doesn't understand his quirks, how no one listens to him or sees his inner truth. It is a powerful character exploration brought to the stage with integrity, humour and pathos, that reveals the truth of those society sees as invisible, unwanted and easy to forget.