My Mental Breakdown is a groundbreaking new musical that looks to shine a harsh light on what its like for men dealing with mental health issues. After a pilot in North Shields, Northern Pride co-produced a run at Northern Stage, all with with a resounding success.My Mental breakdown tells the story of Toby, a young man dealing with issues most young men face. Feeling like life is slipping past him while his peers reach higher goals and accomplishments. Toby is unable to be honest about how he feels without feeling emasculated. His (and our) society tells him men don’t cry and he just needs to be stronger. So Toby lies and says everything is fine. But without being honest, no one can help, and he becomes more and more isolated from a support network. With suicide being the leading killer of young men, we want to show them that emotional honesty is not weakness and it can take a lot of strength to admit we are not okay. It also encourages people to look at mental health with more compassion and to take responsibility over our friends well being. If we pull together and rely on each other, maybe we can save peoples lives.The British Theatre Guide said, “After the standing ovation, all felt the play had powerfully reached out to them. Not that much theatre can claim the same.” “ ..there was silence, some tears, people sat and talked to each other”Woeman.co.uk said it had “Beautifully crafted songs and music”. Karen Knox, venue manager at The Exchange said, “it’s the best piece of theatre we’ve had here’There will be 3 weeks of rehearsal and one week of shows. We will be taking a break between 24 Dec-2nd Jan.If you are interested, please send us a recording of you singing. We will be doing the first round as self tapes.