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Diary of a Madman

Written by Nikolai Gogal, adapted by Steve Hennessy

14 Mar 2008 to 14 Jun 2008
National tour of psychiatric hospitals and other venues

10 Oct 2013 to 02 Dec 2013
National tour of psychiatric hospitals and other venues

06 Jan 2014 to 11 Jan 2014
New Wimbledon Studio, London

Poprishchin, a lowly civil servant in nineteenth century St. Petersburg, has fallen in love with his boss's daughter. Not all love stories have a happy ending . .

Surreal, hilarious and heartbreaking - Gogol's masterpiece remains one of the most compelling representations of madness ever conceived . .

First performed as part of a double bill with 'The Inhabitants of the Moon are Noses' this adaptation of Nikolai Gogol's short story went on to have two more runs and become the longest running Stepping Out Theatre production.

In a new departure for the company, it toured psychiatric hospitals and other venues in March and June 2008. Performed in television rooms, recreation rooms, pool rooms, gyms and many other unusual locations (including a yurt in Cardiff!), it elicited some amazing responses from staff, service users and general public alike.

This event was also used to celebrate the end of Mental Fight Club's 'The Play's The Thing' project and launch the End of Project Report. This was a mental health theatre project dealing with suicide and suicide prevention. Free copies of the Project Report are available from the Stepping Out Office.

The production was revived in 2013/2014 teaming up Associate Director Chris Loveless with Anthony Hoskyns. The new production also performed inside psychiatric facilities and drug and alcohol hostels as well as a special performance inside the gothic splendour of the Anglican Chapel at Arnos Vale Cemetery Bristol for World Mental Health Day.

A video / DVD of this production in a special souvenir case is available from Stepping Out Theatre Company priced at £10 (includes package and posting).

Show photos

2008 production of 'Diary of a Madman'

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Cast

2008 Production
Seb Steiger

2013/14 Production
Anthony Hoskyns

Crew

2008 Production
Director - Andy Burden

2013/14 Production
Director - Chris Loveless

Reviews

"It is a testament to Steiger's flair and the talent of director Andy Burden, that one man alone on stage succeeds in holding the attention . . Stepping Out Theatre should be commended for an outstanding production and a worthy addition to its valuable body of work on mental health issues."
 Kate Britten, The Stage

"Meticulously acted and directed, Seb Steiger's beautifully understated portrayal of the lowly clerk's descent into insanity was one in which every move and gesture counted. Outstanding."
 John Christopher Wood, Venue Magazine