'How To Go Crazy For Good' outed on World Mental Health Day 2026
“What if you knew you could save the world? But the world called you an ambulance?
Writer/performer Polly Wiseman tells their compelling story of going crazy using raw honesty, some actual Neuroscience and a plastic light sabre - Delivered via a glitching PowerPoint presentation to represent their bipolar brain
How To Go Crazy for Good is part autobiographical solo show, part investigation of bipolar disorder itself, part pure silliness.”
Polly and I have worked together under different guises over more than 2 decades. They have written work I’ve made, they’ve directed me in new writing, and on How To Go Crazy For Good, Polly asked me firstly to step in as movement support on an early scratch version at The Omnibus theatre in Clapham a couple of years ago. To then step into the role of director was to bring me back alongside a formidable artist and human who wasn’t going to let this piece fizzle out as can happen to so much exciting early work when there is scant support available for its development. But Producer Judith Hibberd believed in the work and in Polly, as do I. The subject of the complexities of Bipolar Disorder seen through Polly’s story came for me at a time when I was becoming much more aware of bipolar and its legacy in my (father’s) family. There was so much damage that might have been lessened had there been awareness, information, no stigma attached and active support.
Polly’s piece is clever in its delivery. They are first and foremost a theatre maker and actor whose desire is for strorytelling so that although you will definitely be informed through this piece, you will be taken on an immensely entertaining journey. They are indeed a ‘triple threat’- writer, actor, maker and hence know how to mould juicy material for performance. Some might say ‘ You couldn’t make it up’; and I agree, Polly didn’t - but rather, transformed it.
In this hour long piece which includes a post show discussion, actor/activist Polly Wiseman recounts their rollercoaster story: from training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, to believing they’re Joan of Arc on a mission to save the world and being involuntarily hospitalised under The Mental Health Act – all via a glitching PowerPoint presentation to represent their volatile brain. When it crashes completely, other means must be used to continue the story. A plastic light sabre, Mariah Carey and terrible dancing become weapons in Polly’s fight back to sanity. Maybe they can’t save the world - but they can use their creativity and hard-won knowledge for something important.
How To Go Crazy For Good aired on 10th October at Lewes Depot and is supported by Bipolar UK. Look out for where this piece might happen next!
Writer/performer: Polly Wiseman. Presented by Fireraisers Theatrecompany
Director: Gabrielle Moleta. Creative Producer: Judith Hibberd
Tech wizardry & more Jules Deering. Neuroscience: Judith Pratt
Facilitator: Jiffa Leeburn
