SEVEN and a half YEARS opens Friday 14th August at the Barons Court Theatre, exploring male mental health, resilience and human spirit through blending music and monologue. Learn more about what you can expect:
1. What drew you to this true story?
I was drawn to this story because it is my own true story! My breakdown and withdrawal were among the most extreme recorded in British medical history.
At the height of my career as a West End composer, I suffered a catastrophic mental breakdown that derailed my life for seven and a half years. Trapped in near-total isolation, I spent over seven years lying in the dark—unable to speak for twenty-three and a half hours a day. It was a terrifyingly quiet existence, but through the instinctual, restorative power of music, I slowly fought my way back to the light and reclaimed my life.
Now, I have channeled that harrowing journey into 7½ Years, a deeply moving one-man musical show heading to the Camden Fringe this August (performing at Baron’s Court Theatre and Aces & Eights). Far from a dark story about illness, 7½ Years is an uplifting, triumphant celebration of recovery, hope, and the extraordinary ways art can heal us.
2. Was there any difficulty in researching this story to allow it to be authentic?
Since it is my own lived experience, there was no need for research—only the emotional courage to revisit it. Reliving those dark years to write the show was painful, but staying completely honest and vulnerable was the only way to make it truly authentic.
3. The show is mentioned as being intimate, not heavy. Why was this balance important to you?
I use humor, irony, and light even when addressing the darker moments. Audience members consistently tell me how uplifted they feel leaving the theater, realizing there is always hope of recovery—even from the direst situations. Striking that balance ensures the show doesn’t weigh people down; instead, it lifts them up.
4. Is there a musical number that you enjoy performing the most?
There are 12 songs in the show, most of which I perform at the piano. Each one tells a definite story about my life and those years of withdrawal. The big showstoppers are probably the ones that mean the most to me personally:
- “Father” – A song written to my dying father, whom I couldn’t physically reach in my extreme state.
- “Seven and a Half Years” – The title ballad where I express my deep regret to my son for being absent from his life for all those years.
5. What is the greatest challenge in performing a solo show?
It’s an immense physical and emotional test: 32 pages of songs, acting, singing, and reliving the most vulnerable period of my life. It has been described as a “soul-baring masterclass.”
Throughout the show, I effectively psychoanalyze myself through a series of post-recovery therapy phone calls woven into a near-continuous, sophisticated soundscape. In those calls, the audience hears me ask the therapist the exact questions they themselves are internally holding.
6. What has been the most enjoyable part about creating SEVEN and a Half YEARS?
Knowing that it makes a genuine difference.
I remember an early performance at the Edinburgh Fringe, where the show was nominated for Best New Musical. As I was packing up after a performance, a woman approached me with tears in her eyes. She thanked me for sharing my story and revealed that her son had been isolated in his house, unable to leave, for nearly 15 years.
I struggled to find the right words of comfort, but I told her that even after years in the dark when I had lost all hope, the human spirit proved virtually impossible to destroy. I am living testament to that. My breakthrough day finally arrived—the day in the show I call “D-Day.” I told her I believed with all my heart that her son’s day would arrive, too.
That interaction changed everything for me. It made me realize why I perform this show. It’s not for the reviews or ticket sales—it’s to offer hope. If sharing my story inspires even one person to believe they can prevail, every ounce of effort is worth it.
SEVEN and a half YEARS opens Friday 14th August at the Barons Court Theatre. Many thanks to Mark Glentworth for answering our questions. Book your tickets here!
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