Jonny & The Baptists: The Happiness Index
Jonny & The Baptists bring The Happiness Index to the Traverse Theatre... a new personal and political show about our desire, and the country's struggle, to just be happy.
About Jonny & The Baptists: The Happiness Index
SCOTTISH PREMIERE
Are you happy? We can help!
Five Prime Ministers ago, David Cameron started a ‘happiness index’ to measure how joyful the people of this nation are. Which is ironic, given what he then did.
Anyway, we’ve picked up the baton and now are trying to find out what the hell we should do with it.
A new personal and political show about our desire, and the country’s struggle, to just be happy.
‘We laugh at the jokes… but we feel the pain, the increasingly frantic desperation, too. And this is the genius of these two: they make us laugh, then the penny drops – this is the way vulnerable people are treated in 21st century Britain.’ ★★★★★ Edinburgh Reporter
Written by JONNY DONAHOE and PADDY GERVERS
Directed by JAMES ROWLAND
Script Editor JOHN LUKE ROBERTS
Lighting Design ROBERT WELLS
Sound Design PADDY GERVERS and ROB SELL
Outside Eyes DUNCAN MACMILLAN, BENEDICT LOMBE, JOSIE LONG, COLIN HOULT, LAOISE HOLOHAN and ETHAN DAVIES
Producers IMPATIENT PRODUCTIONS LTD
Supported by Arts Council England
Image by Matt Crockett
| Find tickets with See Tickets: | Search now |
Some external links on this site are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission, at no additional cost to you, if you click or make a purchase.
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Follow us on Facebook and join the What's On Scotland Group!Sponsored Links
Other Events at Traverse Theatre
Dancing Shoes
After a raucous run in the Spring, Dancing Shoes returns to the Traverse in December with even more heart, humour and high-energy moves.
READ MORE
4PLAY: 4 New Plays by 4 Scottish Playwrights
On the back of a successful Edinburgh Fringe Festival run with Mikey Burnett’s award winning Colours Run, 4PLAY brings you four starts to four new plays.
READ MORE
Jakub Klimiuk Quintet
An accomplished London-based guitarist and composer, Jakub Klimiuk takes his quintet on tour with a brand new set of material, with a date at the Traverse Theatre on 12th January!
READ MORE
Laura Jurd - Rites & Revelations
One of the most distinctive voices in jazz and improvised music, Laura Jurd's unique approach to the trumpet is celebrated in the work that she creates.
READ MORE
Soundhouse: Foghorn Stringband
After a barnstorming performance at Edinburgh Tradfest in May 23, we’re delighted to welcome back the Foghorn Stringband on Sunday 1st February.
READ MORE
Tony McManus and Julia Toaspern
Tony McManus and Julia Toaspern's guitar treatments of traditional music is unique, exploring the harmonic possibilities of these old, and sometimes not so old, tunes.
READ MORE
Manipulate Festival: Coffee With Sugar?
Using thousands of coffee beans, flying candyfloss, biographical fragments, historical sources, video art and live music, ‘Coffee with Sugar?’ is a visually striking performance!
READ MORE
Manipulate Festival: Size Matters
Blending puppetry, science, and surrealist theatre, Julia and Mamoru and their puppet doubles explore how time and perception shift with size.
READ MORE
Manipulate Festival: Don Quixote (is a Very Big Book)
In his new one-man show, Dik Downey (Green Ginger, Pickled Image, Opposable Thumb) weaves together the crazed delusions of Don Quixote with his own struggle against reality.
READ MORE
Manipulate Festival: The Wood Paths
Wood Paths is a celebration of humanity’s endless creativity and our desire to understand, to shape, and to find beauty in the mess.
READ MORE
The Flames
A striking and innovative mix of film, music and performance to explore stories about life after fifty, presenting a fresh look at how we approach ageing.
READ MORE
Head. Heart. Hand.
Head. Heart. Hand. is a powerful new play by Stef Smith, created to mark the 150th anniversary of the institution that is known today as Queen Margaret University (QMU).
READ MORE
Quilici Tessa
Carlos Quilici and Martín Tessa perform an instrumental repertoire that includes works by the main composers of the genre as well as their own compositions.
READ MORE
Soundhouse: Espen Erilsen Trio
The Espen Eriksen Trio is one of the most popular piano trios in Europe – not at least in UK and you can catch them at Traverse Theatre on 25th February!
READ MORE
The Events
When Claire, a priest and choir leader, survives a mass shooting in her church, she embarks on a desperate search for answers that will ultimately bring her face to face with the attacker.
READ MORE
Class Act Edinburgh Showcase 2026
The Traverse is delighted to be presenting the Class Act Edinburgh Showcase 2026 on 4th & 5th March!
READ MORE
Soundhouse: Martin Taylor
Multi-award-winning guitarist Martin Taylor is recognised as the world’s foremost exponent of solo jazz guitar playing. Don't miss him at the Traverse Theatre on 9th March!
READ MORE
A Grain of Sand
A Grain of Sand is a one-woman show that takes an intimate look at war through the eyes of a child, blending Palestinian folklore with real-life testimonies from children in contemporary Gaza.
READ MORE
Saint Joan
As today's world faces political unrest and war, Saint Joan speaks powerfully to a new generation challenging authority, reminding us of history's unlikely revolutionaries.
READ MORE
Hannah James & Toby Kuhn
If you’re looking for warmth, honesty and musical excellence, look no further than this evening with Hannah James & Toby Kuhn at the Traverse Theatre!
READ MORE
Kendal Mountain Tour 2026
Prepare for an unforgettable evening of adventure as the Kendal Mountain Tour 2026 comes to the Traverse Theatre on Tuesday 24th March!
READ MORE
PASS: Cyrana
A bold reimagining of a classic tale, Cyrana tells of the fight to be heard — and the courage to stand tall when the world tries to silence you.
READ MORE
PASS: Roll With it
Roll With It is a new coming of age comedy exploring friendship, identity, found family, and most importantly, dragon-slaying.
READ MORE
The Light House
Tender, funny and defiantly hopeful, The Light House is a real-life love story about holding on to each other, even in the darkest times. It’s a love letter to life.
READ MORE
Game of Crones
Funny, feral, and gloriously unapologetic, Game of Crones is a riotous celebration of women in their prime - warriors who will not go gentle into bingo night.
READ MORE
The Horsenecks
The two multi-instrumentalists bring together their backgrounds in Old Time, early Bluegrass, Gospel and Country music to deliver a sound that is both timeless and fiercely alive.
READ MORE
What I’m Here For
What I’m Here For is a fast-moving fusion of new European writing and visual imagination, which explores the tragi-comic collateral of hospitals and human choices.
READ MORE
Holly Clarke
Holly Clarke has made a name for herself as a powerful singer and accomplished guitar player. Catch her at the Traverse Theatre on Sunday 19th April!
READ MORE
Jack Docherty in The Chief - No Apologies
Jack Docherty, BAFTA award-winning star of Scot Squad, The Chief, and Absolutely, comes to the Traverse Theatre after packed-out Fringe runs in 2024 & 2025!
READ MORE
Sylvain Cossette Quintet – Second Cycle
Experience an unforgettable evening of jazz with the Sylvain Cossette Quintet, a Canadian ensemble that blends elegance, creativity, and pure energy.
READ MORE
Shotgunned
Equal parts hilarious and heart-breaking, Matt Anderson's Shotgunned is a relatable and intimate piece of theatre about how the people we lose can shape who we become.
READ MORE
Leila Navabi: Relay
Relay is a bold, joyful punk-musical one-person show about making a queer family on your own terms, written and performed by award-nominated comedian, writer and composer Leila Navabi.
READ MORE
Stand & Deliver: The Lee Jeans Sit-in
Played out to a live 80's soundtrack, this is the true story of the gallus Greenock girls who fought a battle against injustice that thrust them onto the world stage.
READ MORESponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
Free For All
Free For All is back at Monkey Barrel - with a fresh new vibe! Full-on, no holds barred live comedy for anyone and everyone.
READ MORE
Top Banana
Catch the comedy stars of the future and pro comics trying out new material every Wednesday night at Monkey Barrel Comedy's 'Top Banana'!
READ MORE
Spandex Comedy
Don't miss out on Spandex Comedy! Join us every Tuesday night for a top night of laughs featuring stand up comedians from across the country dropping in to liven up the start of your week!
READ MORE
Ceilidh in Charteris Centre
Edinburgh Ceilidhs invites you to their regular ceilidh in the Charteris Centre with caller Ken Gourlay, ceilidh band and piper!
READ MORE
Boards, Bags & Banter: Edinburgh’s Cornhole Social
Join us at The Biscuit Factory on Mondays for a fun-filled night of tossing bags and making new friends, perfect for all skill levels!
READ MORE
Syrian Supper Club
Come and join the Cyrenians for their delicious Syrian food cooked with love by their award winning chef Noura Selibi!
READ MORE
The Big Show
Enjoy a night of top stand-up comedy at The Big Show every weekend at Monkey Barrel Comedy, come see a line-up featuring outstanding local, national, and international comedians!
READ MOREFind other events in Edinburgh
Sponsored Links